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2024-06-12

First-ever fully internalized kidney transplant in robotic surgery

In a groundbreaking medical procedure, surgeons at Maria Middelares Hospital in Ghent, Belgium have performed the world's first entirely internalized robotic kidney autotransplantation. The minimally invasive surgery marks a major milestone in advancing robot-assisted techniques for complex renal procedures.

 

 

On May 27th, an 18-year-old patient suffering from a severely damaged ureter - the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder - underwent the delicate operation. Urologist Prof. Karel Decaestecker determined that relocating one of her kidneys closer to the bladder, a procedure known as autotransplantation, was the best solution.

Traditionally, this operation requires making a large incision to remove the kidney, relocate it, and then reattach the vessels and ureter. However, Prof. Decaestecker took autotransplantation to a new level by performing the entire surgical repositioning entirely inside the patient's body using a cutting-edge robotic system.

"This is the first time such a complex renal procedure has been done intracorporeally with the patient's body left fully intact," explained Decaestecker. "Past robotic kidney transplants still required making incisions to remove and reinsert the organ."

The breakthrough was made possible by Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci SP system - a next-generation robotic platform with a single, highly articulated arm that can operate through just one small abdominal entry point. This allowed Decaestecker to meticulously detach the kidney's vessels, relocate it to the pelvis, reconnect everything, and conduct the entire operation from just a single incision in the patient's navel.

"The advantages are tremendous - less trauma and scarring for the patient, the ability to operate in an optimal position, and boosted visualization and dexterity that comes from the robotic technology," Decaestecker stated. "This paves the way for more patients with complex kidney diseases to benefit from minimally invasive surgery."

Maria Middelares is on the cutting edge of surgical robotics as part of its mission to become a "smart digital hospital." The facility was the first in Belgium to acquire the da Vinci SP and has been using it daily since last month for a range of procedures.

"Adopting advanced robotic systems like the SP allows us to continue optimizing our operating rooms for maximum space and efficiency," said Dr. Ameye, the hospital's director of innovation. "More importantly, it enables us to personalize care and provide the best possible value-based outcomes for our patients."

As surgical robots become increasingly sophisticated and capable of replicating highly complex human motions, their clinical applications continue expanding. This latest achievement demonstrates robotic surgery is not just a novel technology, but a transformative force poised to elevate patient care.

"What we've witnessed here is truly just the tip of the iceberg," adds Decaestecker. "Procedures that were once unimaginable are now possible through robotic enablement. This will open up remarkable new frontiers in medicine."

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