The following is a summary of “Single Port Robotic Kidney Autotransplantation: Initial Case Series and Description of Technique,” published in the JUNE 2023 issue of Urology by Kaouk, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a single-port (SP) robotic kidney autotransplantation (KAT) approach, which is ideal for multi-quadrant surgeries, as an alternative to the multiport robotic approach.

Between 2018 and 2022, eight consecutive patients with indications such as complex or recurrent ureteral stricture, ureteral avulsion, and chronic visceral pain underwent SP KAT using the DaVinci SP platform. Patient clinicopathologic variables and perioperative outcomes were recorded.

Without moving or switching to open, all SP KATs were completed successfully. The length of the operation was between 366 and 701 minutes, and the periods for warm and cold ischemia were between 4 and 10 minutes and 86 and 209 minutes, respectively. Three days were the median amount of hospitalization. The latest postoperative GFRs were constant and ranged from +23% to -10% at a median of 13 months of follow-up without complications.

The single-port, multi-quadrant robotic kidney autotransplantation technique was effective and safe, with no conversions or loss of graft function. Patients experienced resolution of flank pain, and there was no radiological evidence of urinary obstruction on follow-up. The approach offered reduced surgical morbidity and held promise as a viable option for kidney autotransplantation procedures.

Source: goldjournal.net/article/S0090-4295(23)00198-X/fulltext