Robotic kidney transplantation with intraoperative regional hypothermia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a novel and reproducible technique of robotic kidney transplantation (RKT) that requires no repositioning, and permits intraoperative regional hypothermia.


METHODS
A GelPOINT™ (Applied Medical, Santa Ranchero, CA, USA) access port was used for delivery of ice-slush and introduction of the graft kidney. The new RKT technique using ice-slush has been performed in 39 patients.


RESULTS
At a mean follow-up of 3 months all of the grafts functioned. There was a marked reduction in pain and analgesic requirement compared with patients undergoing open KT, with a propensity towards quicker graft recovery and lower complication rate.


CONCLUSIONS
RKT has been shown to be safe and feasible in patients undergoing living-donor related KT. A prospective trial is underway to assess outcomes definitively.
Department of Urology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Ronney
R
Abaza
Khurshid R
KR
Ghani
Akshay
A
Sood
Rajesh
R
Ahlawat
Ramesh K
RK
Kumar
Wooju
W
Jeong
Mahendra
M
Bhandari
Vijay
V
Kher
Mani
M
Menon
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D056888:Patient Positioning; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques
hypothermia; kidney transplantation; minimally invasive surgery; robotics