Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: update from the European Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) series

Robotic kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease owing to improved survival and quality of life compared with dialysis. The surgical approach to kidney transplantation has been somewhat stagnant in the past 50 years, with the open approach being the only available option. In this scenario, evidence of reduced surgery-related morbidity after the introduction of robotics into several surgical fields has induced surgeons to consider robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) as an alternative approach to these fragile and immunocompromised patients. Since 2014, when the RAKT technique was standardized thanks to the pioneering collaboration between the Vattikuti Urology Institute and the Medanta hospital (Vattikuti Urology Institute-Medanta), several centres worldwide implemented RAKT programmes, providing interesting results regarding the safety and feasibility of this procedure. However, RAKT is still considered an alternative procedure to be offered mainly in the living donor setting, owing to various possible drawbacks such as prolonged rewarming time, demanding learning curve, and difficulties in carrying out this procedure in challenging scenarios (such as patients with obesity, severe atherosclerosis of the iliac vessels, deceased donor setting, or paediatric recipients). Nevertheless, the refinement of robotic platforms through the implementation of novel technologies as well as the encouraging results from multicentre collaborations under the umbrella of the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section are currently expanding the boundaries of RAKT, making this surgical procedure a real alternative to the open approach.

Access to robotic assisted kidney transplant for recipients: a systematic review and call for reporting standards

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is a relatively novel, minimally invasive option for kidney transplantation. However, clarity on recipient selection in the published literature is lacking thereby significantly limiting interpretation of safety and other outcomes. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize the data on selection of RAKT recipients, compare the synthesized data to kidney transplant recipients across the USA, and explore geographical clusters of availability of RAKT. Systematic literature review, in accordance with PRISMA, via OVID MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of science from inception to March 5, 2023. All data entry double blinded and quality via Newcastle Ottawa Scale. 44 full-text articles included, encompassing approximately 2402 kidney transplant recipients at baseline but with considerable suspicion for overlap across publications. There were significant omissions of information across studies on patient selection for RAKT and/or analysis. Overall, the quality of studies was very low. Given suspicion of overlap across studies, it is difficult to determine how many RAKT recipients received living (LD) versus deceased donor (DD) organs, but a rough estimate suggests 89% received LD. While the current RAKT literature provides preliminary evidence on safety, there are significant omissions in reporting on patient selection for RAKT which limits interpretation of findings. Two recommendations: (1) international consensus is needed for reporting guidelines when publishing RAKT data and (2) larger controlled trials consistently reporting recipient characteristics are needed to clearly determine selection, safety, and outcomes across both LD and DD recipients.

[Robot-assisted kidney transplantation-what is new?]

BACKGROUND

The first robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) was conducted in 2010, and the first time in Germany in 2016. As more than 5 years have passed, current evidence, technological developments and the latest (German) experience are presented.

OBJECTIVES

The current evidence and experience of RAKT was investigated from an international and German perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a systemic search, relevant publications were analyzed and compared with the experiences at a German urological transplant department.

RESULTS

From an international perspective, RAKT can now be considered a standard procedure at experienced departments, as more than 680 RAKT have been documented in Europe. The functional results are excellent with low complication rates and good mid- to long-term functional outcomes. Although RAKT was initially only performed with living organ donations, it has also been successfully conducted with cadaveric grafts. The surgical technique can be applied in challenging and complex situations, such as for arteriosclerotic recipient vessels or for kidney transplantations in children. Although RAKT is still not widely performed in Germany, the university hospital in Marburg, the third urological department in Germany, has successfully initiated a robotic transplant program.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to open kidney transplantation, robot-assisted kidney transplantation enables at least noninferior results. It further appears to translate the well-documented advantages of minimally invasive surgery to kidney transplantation. However, its spread throughout Germany is only slowly increasing, possibly because only a handful of urological departments still perform kidney transplantations.

The ERUS course on robot-assisted kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is being increasingly performed at selected referral institutions worldwide. Yet, surgical training in RAKT is still unstructured and not grounded into formal credentialing courses including simulation, lab facilities, and modular training with animal models. As such, developing standardized, modular training programs is warranted to provide surgeons with the RAKT-specific skillset needed for a "safe" learning curve.

METHODS

The 3-day course on RAKT developed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy was designed as a standardized, modular, step-by-step approach aiming to provide theoretical and practical skills. The course is held by expert proctors with extensive experience in RAKT. To maximize the course's usefulness, a solid knowledge of robotics and transplantation is desirable for participants.

RESULTS

From January 2016 to July 2023, 87 surgeons from 23 countries (of which 36% from extra-European countries) participated in the RAKT course performed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy. Of these, 58/87 (67%) were urologists, while 27/87 (31%) were general surgeons and 2/87 (2%) were vascular surgeons. To date, 18 participants (20.6%) are actively involved in RAKT programs at institutions included in the European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS)-RAKT network.

CONCLUSION

Leveraging the potential of simulation, wet-lab training, live porcine models, and experienced proctors, the RAKT course performed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy represents the first structured teaching effort aiming to offer surgeons a full immersion in RAKT to train the core technical skills.

Proposal of a standardized training curriculum for open and robot-assisted kidney transplantation

Standardized training programs for open (OKT) and robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) remain unmet clinical needs. To fill this gap, we designed a modified Delphi Consensus aiming to propose the first structured surgical curricula for both OKT and RAKT, involving a multispecialty international panel of experts. Two web-based surveys were built drafting two separate series of statements (for OKT and RAKT, respectively). The two surveys were delivered to a panel of 63 experts (for OKT) and 21 experts (for RAKT), selected considering their experience, academic profile and involvement in international associations. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement between the responders. Overall, 25/63 (40%) and 14/21 (67%) participated in the first round of the Delphi Consensus for the development of the structured curriculum for OKT and RAKT, respectively. During the second round, the experts reached consensus on all statements, as well as on the domains composing the structure of the training pathway: 1) eligibility criteria for trainees and host centres; 2) theoretical training; 3) simulation; 4) real case observation; and 5) modular training in the operating theatre. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proposal of a dedicated curriculum for OKT and RAKT grounded on insights from international experts of different specialties. Our proposed curriculum provides the foundation to standardize the education and training in KT across Europe and beyond.

Development and outcomes of surgical and urological kidney transplantation programs in Germany: a total population analysis from 2006 to 2021

PURPOSE

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most frequently performed organ transplantation. In Germany, KT is performed in urology and surgery departments with unknown consequences of this parallel structure. The aim of the study was to compare the development and outcome of KT in urology and surgery departments.

METHODS

On an institutional level, we analyzed the annual caseload from 2006 to 2021 with the reimbursement. INFO tool based on hospitals' quality reports (Reimbursement Institute, Hürth, Germany). For outcome comparison we extracted raw data from the transplantation centers' quality reports (Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation, DSO).

RESULTS

A total of 23,599 cases (17,781 deceased donor and 5,818 living donor KTs) were included. The total number of KTs decreased from 1851 in 2006 to 1701 in 2021 (- 8%; p = 0.12). The total number of urological KTs decreased from 592 cases in 2006 to 395 cases in 2021 (- 33.3%; p = 0.01). Further analysis revealed no significant differences between intra- and postoperative complications and graft quality at one year for deceased donor KTs (DDKT) although differences in immediate renal function and graft quality at discharge could be observed. There were no significant differences in immediate renal function and graft quality at discharge for living donor KTs (LDKT) between the specialties.

CONCLUSION

KTs performed in urology departments declined between 2006 and 2021. Nevertheless, intra- and postoperative complications as well as long-term function did not differ between surgical and urological KT programs. Hence, an interdisciplinary approach, especially considering the upcoming challenges in KT as, e.g., robot-assisted surgery seems reasonable.

Robotic Kidney Transplant Beyond the Learning Curve: 8-Year Single-center Experience and Matched Comparison With Open Kidney Transplant

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the medium to long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) and propensity-matched comparison with open kidney transplant (OKT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 342 patients from database, who underwent RAKT and OKT from January 2015 to May 2022, at our center. Various demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis including propensity matching using nearest neighbor algorithm was performed to ensure comparability between the RAKT and OKT groups. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.22.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) and STATA 13 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX). All statistical tests were two-sided, and a significance level of P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

After applying exclusion criteria, 196 RAKT patients and 102 OKT patients were included in the analysis. Propensity score matching resulted in the inclusion of 173 patients in the RAKT group. In the propensity-matched comparison of intra/perioperative parameters, RAKT showed significant reductions in total surgical time (P < .001), wound length (P < .001), blood loss (P < .001), blood transfusion rate (P < .001), pain score (P < .001), and analgesia requirement (P < .001). Graft survival and patient survival rates were comparable in RAKT and OKT groups at the end of 60months.

CONCLUSION

RAKT offers several advantages over OKT in terms of reduced operative time, blood loss, pain, and analgesia requirements. RAKT shows comparable graft and patient survival rates to OKT in the medium to long term.

Effect of Recipient Body Mass Index on Kidney Transplantation Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis by the Transplant Committee from the French Association of Urology

CONTEXT

The impact of recipient obesity on kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to appraise all available evidence on the outcomes of KT in obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) versus nonobese patients (BMI <30 kg/m2).

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Search was conducted in the MEDLINE OvidSP, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify all studies reporting the outcomes of KT in obese versus nonobese recipients.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Fifty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Delayed graft function and surgical complications were significantly higher in obese recipients (delayed graft function: relative risk [RR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-1.57, p < 0.01; surgical complications: RR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.36-2.22, p < 0.0001). Five-year patient survival (RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-1.00, p = 0.01), 10-yr patient survival (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97, p = 0.006), and 10-yr graft survival (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.96, p = 0.01) were significantly inferior in the obese group.

CONCLUSIONS

KT in obese recipients was associated with lower patient and graft survival, and higher delayed graft function, acute rejection, and medical and surgical complications than nonobese recipients. In the current situation of organ shortage and increasing prevalence of obesity, ways to optimize KT in this setting should be investigated.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Compared with nonobese population, kidney transplantation in obese recipients has inferior patient and graft survival, and higher medical and surgical complications.

Open versus robotic-assisted kidney transplantation: A systematic review by the European Association of Urology (EAU) - Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Kidney Transplant Working Group

INTRODUCTION

In the last 20 years, robotic assisted procedures were evaluated in the field of kidney transplantation to provide a mini-invasive approach for this particularly fragile population. As a relatively new issue, few studies compared open kidney transplantation (OKT) and robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT), mostly in small cohorts. To improve current knowledge, we wanted here to gather comparative data of OKT vs RAKT in a systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify all studies reporting post-operative outcomes of RAKT versus OKT.

RESULTS

A total of 2136 patients in 13 studies were included. Median recipient age was 42.6 years (OKT: 43.5 years and RAKT: 40.3 years). Median preemptive kidney transplantation rate was 27.1 % (OKT: 23.3 % and RAKT: 33.2 %). Median total operative time and rewarming were respectively: 235 and 49 min in OKT population; 250 and 60 min in RAKT population. Post-operative complications rates were: 26.2 % in OKT population and 17.8 % in RAKT population. Delayed graft function rates were: 4.9 % in OKT population and 2.3 in RAKT population. Mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival were similar in OKT and RAKT population.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review showed that RAKT may be associated with a lower incidence of delayed graft function and post-operative surgical complications and similar mid-term functional outcomes, patient and graft survival, compared to OKT for end-stage renal disease patients.

Obesity and Kidney Transplantation-How to Evaluate, What to Do, and Outcomes

Obesity is a growing issue that is spreading worldwide; its prevalence is ever increasing in patients with end-stage renal disease and represents a potential barrier to transplantation. The lack of unanimous guidelines exacerbates the current disparity in treatment, which can affect outcomes, leading to a significantly longer time on the waiting list. Multidisciplinary and multimodal management (encompassing several healthcare professionals such as nephrologists, transplant physicians and surgeons, primary care providers, and nurses) is of paramount importance for the optimal management of this patient population in a continuum from waitlisting to transplantation. Development of this guideline followed a standardized protocol for evidence review. In this review, we report on our clinical experience in transplantation of obese patients; strategies to manage this condition, including bariatric surgery, suitable timing for transplantation among this patient population, and clinical experience in robotic sleeve gastrectomy; and simultaneous robotic kidney transplantation to achieve optimal outcomes.

The First Entirely 3D-Printed Training Model for Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation: The RAKT Box

Background

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is increasingly performed at selected referral institutions worldwide. However, simulation and proficiency-based progression training frameworks for RAKT are still lacking, making acquisition of the RAKT-specific skill set a critical unmet need for future RAKT surgeons.

Objective

To develop and test the RAKT Box, the first entirely 3D-printed, perfused, hyperaccuracy simulator for vascular anastomoses during RAKT.

Design setting and participants

The project was developed in a stepwise fashion by a multidisciplinary team including urologists and bioengineers via an iterative process over a 3-yr period (November 2019-November 2022) using an established methodology. The essential and time-sensitive steps of RAKT were selected by a team of RAKT experts and simulated using the RAKT Box according to the principles of the Vattituki-Medanta technique. The RAKT Box was tested in the operating theatre by an expert RAKT surgeon and independently by four trainees with heterogeneous expertise in robotic surgery and kidney transplantation.

Surgical procedure

Simulation of RAKT.

Measurements

Video recordings of the trainees' performance of vascular anastomoses using the RAKT Box were evaluated blind by a senior surgeon according to the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) and Assessment of Robotic Console Skills (ARCS) tools.

Results and limitations

All participants successfully completed the training session, confirming the technical reliability of the RAKT Box simulator. Tangible differences were observed among the trainees in both anastomosis time and performance metrics. Key limitations of the RAKT Box include lack of simulation of the ureterovesical anastomosis and the need for a robotic platform, specific training instruments, and disposable 3D-printed vessels.

Conclusions

The RAKT Box is a reliable educational tool to train novice surgeons in the key steps of RAKT and may represent the first step toward the definition of a structured surgical curriculum in RAKT.

Patient summary

We describe the first entirely 3D-printed simulator that allows surgeons to test the key steps of robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) in a training environment before performing the procedure in patients. The simulator, called the RAKT Box, has been successfully tested by an expert surgeon and four trainees. The results confirm its reliability and potential as an educational tool for training of future RAKT surgeons.

Outcomes of kidney transplantation from uncontrolled donors after circulatory death vs. expanded-criteria or standard-criteria donors after brain death at an Italian Academic Center: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

The use of kidneys from "expanded criteria" donors after brain death (ECD) and uncontrolled donors after circulatory death (uDCD) has been warranted to increase the pool of donors for kidney transplantation (KT). However, there is lack of evidence on the feasibility and safety of KT from such donors in the Italian setting.

METHODS

We queried our prospectively KT database to select patients undergoing KT from deceased donors (uDCDs, ECDs, and standard-criteria donors [SCD] after brain death) from January 2017 to December 2020, comparing the perioperative and mid-term functional outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 172 KTs were included. The donor's profile was different among the study groups, while recipients' characteristics were similar expect for median age. Grafts from uDCDs and ECDs had longer median cold ischemia times as compared to grafts from SCDs. The proportion of patients experiencing DGF, the median hospitalization, as well as the overall and major complications rate, were significantly higher among recipients from uDCDs. The proportion of patients needing dialysis at last follow-up was significantly higher among recipients from uDCDs (33.3% vs. 8.5% vs. 5.4%, P<0.001). However, the median eGFR at the last follow-up was lower for recipients from ECDs compared to those from uDCDs and SCDs, respectively (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

While "marginal" donors represent a relevant source of organs, KTs from uDCDs carry higher risks of major surgical complications, DGF, and worse graft survival as compared to KT from both ECDs and SCDs. As such, the use of grafts from uDCDs should be carefully assessed balancing the potential benefits with the risk of primary no function and the subsequent immunological sensitization.

Three-dimensional Augmented Reality-guided Robotic-assisted Kidney Transplantation: Breaking the Limit of Atheromatic Plaques

BACKGROUND

Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) has shown solid results as a minimally invasive alternative to the standard open approach (open kidney transplantation [OKT]). However, RAKT is still limited in those cases where the recipient's iliac vessels present atherosclerotic plaques, frequently found in elder patients and in those subjected to long-term hemodialysis. Unlike OKT, where the surgeon can palpate the arterial plaques, in minimally invasive surgery the haptic feedback is missing, making the vascular clamping and arteriotomy unsafe.

OBJECTIVE

To employ three-dimensional (3D) imaging reconstruction using augmented reality (AR) to intraoperatively locate the plaques during the crucial steps of kidney transplantation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Our study was conducted according to the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term follow-up (IDEAL) model for surgical innovation. Three-dimensional virtual models were obtained from high-accuracy computed tomography scan imaging and superimposed on the vessels during RAKT using the Da Vinci console software.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Three-dimensional AR-guided robotic-assisted kidney transplantation.

MEASUREMENTS

The correspondence of virtual models with the real anatomy of patients was assessed comparing vessels' and plaques' measures.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

We tested the possibility of using the AR in the setting of vascular surgery by checking the correspondence of the virtual models to the real vessels. During the accuracy assessment, we investigated the anatomy of the iliac plaques and the capacity of the virtual models to correctly represent them. Finally, we tested the efficacy of the virtual model superimposition on the real vessels with plaques during RAKT in the recipients of living donor grafts. The main limitation consists in training needed to correctly superimpose virtual models on the real field.

CONCLUSIONS

The employment of 3D AR allowed surgeons to overcome one of the main limitations of RAKT, setting the foundation to expand its indications to patients with advanced atheromatic vascular disease.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The use of three-dimensional augmented reality guidance during kidney transplantation (KT) has the potential to "navigate" the surgeon during KT, allowing a safer procedure in patients with atheromatic vascular disease.

Anesthetic Challenges and Perioperative Factors Affecting Delayed Graft Function in Robotic-Assisted Kidney Transplant: A Review of a Single-Center Experience of 100 Cases

Background and objective

The advent of robot-assisted kidney transplant (RAKT) has ushered in a new set of challenges. In this single-center retrospective observational study, we aimed to highlight the anesthetic challenges and analyze perioperative parameters to identify the risk factors for delayed graft function (DGF) in RAKT.

Methods

A descriptive analysis of perioperative factors of the first 100 cases of RAKT at our center was performed. Data were retrieved from the hospital's electronic medical records (EMR) of donors and adult patients who underwent RAKT between July 2015 and December 2020. The data analyzed included demographics, preoperative optimization, intraoperative and postoperative management, and complications. DGF was defined as a requirement of dialysis within one week of transplant. The Fisher’s exact test, independent sample t-test, and the Mann-Whitney test were used to analyze data.

Results

Among a total of 193 renal transplants performed during the study period, 100 patients underwent RAKT, which included 27 females and 73 males. Of these, 91 were live while the remaining involved deceased-donor transplants. Pneumoperitoneum and steep Trendelenburg position required various “anesthetic maneuvers” to maintain hemodynamics and respiratory parameters. Optimal fluid management, with frusemide and mannitol, ensured good urine output (UOP) (93%). Post-reperfusion, the release of pneumoperitoneum, maintenance of adequate perfusion pressures, immunosuppression, and regional hypothermia helped in ensuring adequate graft function (93%). The incidence of DGF in our series was 7% and the mortality rate was 3%. Recipient age (p=0.045), dyslipidemia (p=0.021), and diabetes mellitus (p=0.023) were identified as significant risk factors for DGF.

Conclusion

Advanced recipient age, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were factors significantly associated with DGF in RAKT in our series of 100 cases. However, the duration of the steep Trendelenburg position, docking of robot/pneumoperitoneum (console time), fluid management, warm and cold ischemia times, rewarming time, and type of graft did not influence DGF. Awareness of the systemic involvement in RAKT, proper preoperative optimization, and knowledge of potential problems are essential for the efficient anesthetic management of RAKT.

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: Is it getting ready for prime time?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease, providing a better survival rate and quality of life compared to dialysis. Despite the progress in the medical management of KT patients, from a purely surgical standpoint, KT has resisted innovations during the last 50 years. Recently, robot-assisted KT (RAKT) has been proposed as an alternative approach to open surgery, especially due to its potential benefits for fragile and immunocompromised recipients. It was not until 2014 that the role of RAKT has found value thanks to the pioneering Vattikuti Urology Institute-Medanta collaboration that conceptualized and developed a new surgical technique for RAKT following the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term follow-up recommendations for introducing surgical innovations into real-life practice. During the last years, mirroring the Vattikuti-Medanta technique, several centers developed RAKT program worldwide, providing strong evidence about the safety and the feasibility of this procedure. However, the majority of RAKT are still performed in the living donor setting, as an “eligible” procedure, while only a few centers have realized KT through a robotic approach in the challenging scenario of cadaver donation. In addition, despite the spread of minimally-invasive (predominantly robotic) surgery worldwide, many KTs are still performed in an open fashion. Regardless of the type of incision employed by surgeons, open KT may lead to non-negligible risks of wound complications, especially among obese patients. Particularly, the assessment for KT should consider not only the added surgical technical challenges but also the higher risk of postoperative complications. In this context, robotic surgery could offer several benefits, including providing a better exposure of the surgical field and better instrument maneuverability, as well as the possibility to integrate other technological nuances, such as the use of intraoperative fluorescence vascular imaging with indocyanine green to assess the ureteral vascularization before the uretero-vesical anastomosis. Therefore, our review aims to report the more significant experiences regarding RAKT, focusing on the results and future perspectives.

Small renal masses in kidney transplantation: overview of clinical impact and management in donors and recipients

Kidney transplantation is the best replacement treatment for the end-stage renal disease. Currently, the imbalance between the number of patients on a transplant list and the number of organs available constitutes the crucial limitation of this approach. To expand the pool of organs amenable for transplantation, kidneys coming from older patients have been employed; however, the combination of these organs in conjunction with the chronic use of immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of incidence of graft small renal tumors. This narrative review aims to provide the state of the art on the clinical impact and management of incidentally diagnosed small renal tumors in either donors or recipients. According to the most updated evidence, the use of grafts with a small renal mass, after bench table tumor excision, may be considered a safe option for high-risk patients in hemodialysis. On the other hand, an early small renal mass finding on periodic ultrasound-evaluation in the graft should allow to perform a conservative treatment in order to preserve renal function. Finally, in case of a renal tumor in native kidney, a radical nephrectomy is usually recommended.

Abdominal Organ Transplantation: Noteworthy Literature in 2021

This review highlights noteworthy literature pertinent to anesthesiologists and critical care physicians caring for patients undergoing abdominal organ transplantation. In 2021, we identified noteworthy papers from over 1,200 peer-reviewed publications on pancreatic transplantation, over 1,400 on intestinal transplantation, and over 9,000 on kidney transplantation. The liver transplantation section focuses on clinical trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2021 and features 20 selected papers. COVID-19 and abdominal organ transplantation are featured in an independent section.

Robotic Versus Open Kidney Transplantation from Deceased Donors: A Prospective Observational Study

Background

While robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) from living donors has been shown to achieve favourable outcomes, there is a lack of evidence on the safety and efficacy of RAKT as compared with the gold standard open kidney transplantation (OKT) in the setting of deceased donors, who represent the source of most grafts worldwide.

Objective

To compare the intraoperative, perioperative, and midterm outcomes of RAKT versus OKT from donors after brain death (DBDs).

Design, setting, and participants

Data from consecutive patients undergoing RAKT or OKT from DBDs at a single academic centre between October 2017 and December 2020 were prospectively collected.

Intervention

RAKT or OKT.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

The primary outcomes were intraoperative adverse events, postoperative surgical complications, delayed graft function (DGF), and midterm functional outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the independent predictors of DGF, trifecta, and suboptimal graft function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <45 ml/min/1.73 m²) at the last follow-up.

Results and limitations

Overall, 138 patients were included (117 [84.7%] OKTs and 21 [15.3%] RAKTs). The yearly proportion of RAKT ranged between 10% and 18% during the study period. The OKT and RAKT cohorts were comparable regarding all graft-related characteristics, while they differed regarding a few donor- and recipient-related factors. The median second warm ischaemic time, ureterovesical anastomosis time, postoperative complication rate, and eGFR trajectories did not differ significantly between the groups. A higher proportion of patients undergoing OKT experienced DGF; yet, at a median follow-up of 31 mo (interquartile range 19–44), there was no difference between the groups regarding the dialysis-free and overall survival. At the multivariable analysis, donor- and/or recipient-related factors, but not the surgical approach, were independent predictors of DGF, trifecta, and suboptimal graft function at the last follow-up. The study is limited by its nonrandomised nature and the small sample size.

Conclusions

Our study provides preliminary evidence supporting the noninferiority of RAKT from DBDs as compared with the gold standard OKT in carefully selected recipients.

Patient summary

Kidney transplantation using kidneys from deceased donors is still being performed with an open surgical approach in most transplant centres worldwide. In fact, no study has compared the outcomes of open and minimally invasive (robotic) kidney transplantation from deceased donors. In this study, we evaluated whether robotic kidney transplantation using grafts from deceased donors was not inferior to open kidney transplantation regarding the intraoperative, postoperative, and midterm functional outcomes. We found that, in experienced hands and provided that there was a time-efficient organisation of the transplantation pathway, robotic kidney transplantation from deceased donors was feasible and achieved noninferior outcomes as compared with open kidney transplantation.

Association Between Side of Living Kidney Donation and Post-Transplant Outcomes

Background: Right-sided living donor kidneys have longer renal arteries and shorter veins that make vascular anastomosis more challenging. We sought to determine whether recipients of right-sided living donor kidneys have worse outcomes than left-sided kidney recipients.

Methods: An observational analysis of the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) was undertaken. We used adjusted logistic regression to determine the association between side and delayed graft function (DGF) and time-stratified adjusted cox regression models for graft and patient survivals.

Results: Between 2004 and 2018, 4,050 living donor kidney transplants were conducted with 696 (17.2%) using right kidneys. With reference to left kidneys, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for DGF was 2.01 (1.31–3.09) for recipients with right kidneys. Within 30 days, 46 allografts (1.4%) were lost, with major causes of overall graft loss being technical, primary non-function and death. Recipients of right donor kidneys experienced a greater risk of early graft loss (aHR 2.02 [95% CI 1.06–3.86], p = 0.03), but not beyond 30 days (aHR 0.97 [95% CI 0.80–1.19], p = 0.8]).

Conclusion: Technical challenge is the most common cause of early graft loss. The risk of early graft loss among recipients who received right kidneys is doubled compared to those who received left living donor kidneys.

Prospective comparative study of postoperative systemic inflammatory syndrome in robot-assisted vs. open kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

Robot-assisted kidney transplant (RAKT) recently proved to provide functional results similar to the preferred open kidney transplant (OKT), but with inferior wound morbidity. In a comparative prospective study, we explored the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after KT and compared OKT with RAKT.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients underwent pre-emptive ABO-compatible kidney transplantations (KT) between January 2017 and December 2018 in 2 centers: 25 RAKT, 24 OKT. Postoperative SIRS was biologically assessed by serum markers (NGAL, CRP and IL-6) measured at: T0 (preoperative/baseline), T1(H1), T2(H6), T3(H12), T4(H24), T5(D2), T6(D3) and T7(D5) after KT.

RESULTS

Inflammatory markers + eGFR were assessed in OKT vs. RAKT. IL-6 peak value occurred at H6 and reached ×9 from baseline. CRP peak occurred at H24 and reached ×28 from baseline (All P < 0.05). NGAL decreased after surgery with a plateau (divided by 2 from baseline) from H12 to D5. There was no significant difference in IL-6, CRP and NGAL kinetics and peak values between RAKT and OKT (All P > 0.05). Serum creatinine and eGFR on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7 were similar in RAKT and OKT (All P > 0.05). Delayed graft function was not observed.

CONCLUSION

In this exploratory study, the biological evaluation of postoperative SIRS after living-donor kidney transplant revealed no significant difference between OKT and RAKT and similar functional outcomes in the short term. These results highlight the safety of RAKT as an alternative to OKT in this setting.

Can robot-assisted kidney transplantation provide higher quality of life than open kidney transplantation during the early postoperative period?

PURPOSE

Purpose of this study is to investigate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent open or robot-assisted kidney transplantation (OKT and RAKT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent OKT and RAKT at Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital between June 2016 and December 2018 constituted the target population of this study. The patient group was divided into two groups as per the surgical technique (ie, open vs. robot-assisted). Demographic data, preoperative and postoperative data of all patients were collected prospectively. The QoL of the patients was assessed preoperatively and on the postoperative 30th day.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients who underwent OKT and 60 patients who underwent RAKT were included. The mean patient age and BMI were calculated as 40.9 ± 11.6 years and 24.4 ± 2.9 kg/m² , respectively. Patients in the RAKT group were significantly younger than the patients in the OKT group (P = .002). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, BMI, ASA and the ratio of premptive patients. The mean preoperative hemoglobin level was significantly higher in the OKT group than the RAKT group (P = .003). While mean total ischemia time was shorter in the "open" group, intraoperative blood loss and incision length were shorter in the RAKT group. Duration of surgical drainage and hospital stay was shorter in the "robot-assisted" group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SF-36 subparameters preoperatively. The physical component scores of the QoL questionnaire revealed that postoperative impairment of quality of life in the early postoperative period was more significant in the OKT than the RAKT.

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent RAKT have a higher QoL than the patients who were treated with OKT as per their self-reported QoL scores in the early postoperative period.

Clinical Outcomes Following Single vs. Multiple Vessel Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Comparison of 210 Patients

Background: The use of living-donor kidney allografts with multiple vessels continues to rise in order to increase the donor pool. This requires surgeons to pursue vascular reconstructions more often, which has previously been associated with a higher risk of developing early post-transplant complications. We therefore wanted to investigate the prognostic role of using living-donor renal allografts with a single artery (SA) vs. multiple arteries (MA) at the time of transplant.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 210 consecutive living-donor kidney transplants performed between January, 2008 and March, 2019, and compared the incidence of developing postoperative complications and other clinical outcomes between SA vs. MA recipients.

Results: No differences were observed between SA (N = 161) and MA (N = 49) kidneys in terms of the incidence of developing a postoperative (or surgical) complication, a urologic complication, hospital length of stay, delayed graft function, estimated glomerular filtration rate at 3 or 12 mo post-transplant, and graft survival.

Conclusions: The use of live-kidney allografts with MA requiring vascular reconstruction shows excellent clinical outcomes and does not increase the risk of developing postoperative complications or other adverse outcomes when compared with SA renal allografts.

Step-by-step Development of a Cold Ischemia Device for Open and Robotic-assisted Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best renal replacement treatment. The rewarming time is associated with ischemia/reperfusion damage. In both the open (open KT [OKT]) and the robotic (robotic-assisted KT [RAKT]) approaches, ice slush is used to maintain graft temperature (T°) below 20 °C. This may result in nonhomogeneous graft T° maintenance and, particularly during RAKT where the graft is completely inside the abdominal cavity, rises concerns regarding systemic hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE

To design a cold ischemia device (CID) to maintain a constant and homogeneous low graft T° during surgery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In IDEAL phase 0, a CID was developed and tested to determine its cooling effect on the kidney inside a closed system at 37.5 °C, by comparing it with kidney alone versus a gauze-jacket filled with ice slush. The CID was evaluated in pigs undergoing OKT and RAKT, assessing feasibility and adverse reactions. In IDEAL phase 1, the CID was tested in human OKT and RAKT.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

OKT and RAKT.

MEASUREMENTS

In all phases, T° was evaluated at scheduled time points.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

In the preliminary tests of IDEAL phase 0, the CID was able to maintain a low graft T° and superiority to other groups (p =  0.002). In the in vivo animal model, the CID maintained a low and constant graft T° in OKT (n = 3) and RAKT (n = 3), with a mean T° at 50 min of 10.8 °C and 14.9 °C, respectively. IDEAL phase 1 demonstrated feasibility of both approaches (OKT, n = 2 and RAKT, n = 3) using the CID, and graft T° never exceeded 20 °C (mean T°: OKT 15.7 °C vs RAKT 18.3 °C). No complications were recorded. The main limitation consists in the low number of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The CID assured a constant low graft T° during rewarming time, in both OKT and RAKT.

PATIENT SUMMARY

A cold ischemia device (CID) is the first step toward a feasible, safe, and reproducible method to maintain a low graft temperature during surgery. The employment of a CID may optimize the functional outcomes.

Initial Experience with Single-port Robotic-assisted Kidney Transplantation and Autotransplantation

BACKGROUND

Compared with the standard open approach, multiport robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) has emerged as a less morbid alternative. The use of a single-port robotic approach for kidney transplantation (KT) is presented in this study as having the potential for further reducing the morbidity of KT.

OBJECTIVE

To present the technique and evaluate perioperative and short-term (≤1 yr) postoperative outcomes of single-port RAKT.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective evaluation of peri- and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent allograft KT (n = 6) or kidney autotransplantation (n = 3). The IDEAL model (www.ideal-collaboration.net/framework) for safe surgical innovation was used.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Kidney allografts from living or deceased donors were transplanted into six patients with end-stage renal disease. Single-port robotic surgery was performed through a 5-cm midline periumbilical abdominal incision with transperitoneal or extraperitoneal approaches. With similar incision and technique, the right or left kidney was removed and autotransplantation was performed in three patients.

MEASUREMENTS

Intra- and postoperative variables, and outcomes were assessed with a descriptive analysis.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Single-port RAKT procedures were completed successfully, with total operative and vascular anastomosis times ranging from 300 to 450 mins and from 52 to 92 mins, respectively. All six patients had excellent graft function with serum creatinine levels at the last follow-up (2 wk to 1 yr), ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 mg/dl. Renal autotransplantation was also completed successfully with a single-port robotic approach in three patients. The total operative and vascular anastomosis times ranged from 510 to 600 mins and from 65 to 83 mins, respectively. In all three cases, serum creatinine levels remained normal after the surgery and during follow-up, and all remained symptom-free at the time of this writing (4-8 mo after their surgeries).

CONCLUSIONS

In this initial experience, single-port RAKT is feasible with potential benefits such as offering true single-site minimally invasive surgery, extraperitoneal approach, less morbidity, and comparable short-term graft functional outcomes.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We presented the initial experience with the application of single-port robotic surgery for kidney transplantation and autotransplantation. This technique was found to be safe and effective, with promising postoperative outcomes and potentially with less morbidity.

Pediatric Challenges in Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is universally recognized as the gold standard treatment in patients with End-stage Kidney Disease (ESKD, or according to the latest nomenclature, CKD stage 5). Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is gradually becoming preferred technique in adults, even if applied in very few centra, with potentially improved clinical outcomes compared with open kidney transplantation. To date, only very few RAKT procedures in children have been described. Kidney transplant recipient patients, being immunocompromised, might be at increased risk for perioperative surgical complications, which creates additional challenges in management. Applying techniques of minimally invasive surgery may contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes for the pediatric transplant patients population and help mitigate the morbidity of KT. However, many challenges remain ahead. Minimally invasive surgery has been consistently shown to produce improved clinical outcomes as compared to open surgery equivalents. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) has been able to overcome many restrictions of classical laparoscopy, particularly in complex and demanding surgical procedures. Despite the presence of these improvements, many challenges lie ahead in the surgical and technical–material realms, in addition to anesthetic and economic considerations. RALS in children poses additional challenges to both the surgical and anesthesiology team, due to specific characteristics such as a small abdominal cavity and a reduced circulating blood volume. Cost-effectiveness, esthetic and functional wound outcomes, minimal age and weight to undergo RALS and effect of RAKT on graft function are discussed. Although data on RAKT in children is scarce, it is a safe and feasible procedure and results in excellent graft function. It should only be performed by a RAKT team experienced in both RALS and transplantation surgery, fully supported by a pediatric nephrology and anesthesiology team. Further research is necessary to better determine the value of the robotic approach as compared to the laparoscopic and open approach. Cost-effectiveness will remain an important subject of debate and is in need of further evaluation as well.

Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Kidney Transplantation: Preliminary Clinical Experiences from China

OBJECTIVE

To report on the pioneering clinical experiences of six cases of extraperitoneal laparoscopic kidney transplantation in China.

METHODS

For the first time in clinical practice, a customised, controllable double-circulation cooling device was used to protect the transplanted kidney. Of the six patients, two underwent an allograft renal transplantation because they had been diagnosed with uraemia and were on maintenance haemodialysis. The other four patients underwent kidney autotransplantation because of a central renal tumour.

RESULTS

The extraperitoneal laparoscopic kidney transplantations were successfully completed between 2017 and 2018. The operative time for the two patients undergoing the allograft transplantation was 3-3.5 h. The time for venous anastomosis was approximately 53-65 min, and the time for arterial anastomosis was approximately 25-30 min. The creatinine level was 90-80 μmol/L after surgery. The operative time of the four patients who underwent autotransplantation was 9.4-17.5 h. The times of venous and arterial anastomosis were 58-90 min and 35-48 min, respectively. The follow-up B-mode ultrasound after surgery showed good blood supply in the spared nephron. A renal graft was removed from one patient 6 months after surgery because of renal atrophy and dysfunction caused by poor blood supply. Five patients (two undergoing allografting and three undergoing autografting) completed the 12-month follow-up, and their renal graft function was good.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic kidney transplantation, either allograft or autologous transplantation, is a safe and feasible procedure with a good chance of survival for the transplanted kidney. A customised cooling device is effective and practical during laparoscopic kidney transplantation.

The University of Florence Technique for Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation: 3-Year Experience

Objective: To report the University of Florence technique for robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) from living donor (LD) and deceased donor (DD), highlighting the evolution of surgical indications and technical nuances in light of a single surgeon's learning curve.

Materials and Methods: A dedicated program for RAKT from LDs was developed at our Institution in 2017 and implemented later with a specific framework for DDs. All RAKTs were performed by a single highly experienced surgeon. Data from patients undergoing RAKT between January 2017 and December 2019 were prospectively collected in a dedicated web-based data platform. In this report we provide a comprehensive step-by-step overview of our technique for RAKT, focusing on the potential differences in peri-operative and mid-term functional outcomes between LDs vs. DDs.

Results: Overall, 160 KTs were performed in our center during the study period. Of these, 39 (24%) were performed with a robot-assisted laparoscopic technique, both from LDs (n = 18/39 [46%]) and from DDs (n = 21/39 [54%]). Eleven (11/39 [18%]), 13(13/39 [26%]), and 15 (15/39 [30%]) RAKTs were performed in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, highlighting an increasing adoption of robotics for KT over time at our Institution. Median time for arterial (19 min for LD and 18 min for DD groups), venous (21 min for LD, 20 min for DD) and uretero–vesical (18 min for LD and 15 for DD) anastomosis were comparable between the two groups (all p > 0.05), as the median rewarming time (59 min vs. 56 min, p = 0.4). The rate of postoperative surgical complications according to Clavien–Dindo classification did not differ between the two study groups, except for Clavien–Dindo grade II complications (higher among patients undergoing RAKT from DDs, 76 vs. 44%, p = 0.042). Overall, 7/39 (18%) patients (all recipients from DDs) experienced DGF; two of them were on dialysis at last FU.

Conclusions: Our experience confirms the feasibility, safety, and favorable mid-term outcomes of RAKT from both LDs and DDs in appropriately selected recipients, highlighting the opportunity to tailor the technique to specific recipient- and/or graft-characteristics. Further research is needed to refine the technique for RAKT and to evaluate the benefits and harms of robotics for kidney transplantation from DDs.