University of Iowa Health Care has performed its first robotic living donor nephrectomy, a milestone physicians say could significantly expand the pool of kidney donors in Iowa.
According to a release, transplant surgeon Dr. Ramy El-Diwany performed the procedure, which uses a robotic surgical system to remove a healthy kidney from a living donor through a series of small incisions. Currently, just over 20% of kidney transplants come from living donors rather than deceased ones.
“We are excited to be able to use the latest surgical technology to perform a procedure that will expand access to life-saving living-donor organ donation in Iowa,” Dr. El-Diwany said.
The minimally invasive technique involves three 1-inch abdominal incisions — one for a camera, two for robotic arms controlled by the surgeon — allowing for precise separation of the kidney, blood vessels and ureter. The kidney is then extracted through a small lower-abdomen incision commonly used in cesarean sections, a method that carries a lower complication rate and produces better cosmetic results than other extraction approaches.
Compared with traditional kidney removal surgery, the robotic procedure offers donors a quicker recovery, less postoperative pain, smaller scarring and a shorter hospital stay.
Beyond the improved donor experience, the technology broadens donor eligibility. Patients with more complex anatomies or higher body mass indexes who may have previously been disqualified can now be considered for donation, thanks to the precision robotic systems afford.
“Living donor kidney transplants last several years longer on average when compared to deceased donor transplants, so any advance in living donation is a true win for our patients,” Dr. El-Diwany said.
Dr. Alan Reed, director of the UI Health Care Transplant Center, said the advancement benefits both donors and recipients.
“Living donors have the opportunity to truly give a life-changing gift to someone in need of a kidney,” Dr. Reed said. “It is an honor to be able to use the latest surgical technology to not only perform a procedure that will enhance the life of the recipient, but to also provide a better experience and outcome for the donor.”
Physicians are optimistic that living kidney donation rates across Iowa will increase as a result of the expanded eligibility criteria and improved donor experience the robotic procedure enables, the release stated.
