ABSTRACT
Objective:To summarize the preliminary experiences of utilizing complete peritoneal externalization for donation after cardiac death (DCD) robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) and observe the effect of RAKT versus open kidney transplantation (KT) under the same donor kidney during the same period.Methods:From February 2019 to July 2020, 40 patients scheduled for kidney transplantation were divided into two groups of robot ( n=20) and open surgery ( n=20). Donor for DCD had the same blood type. Preoperative data, intraoperative findings and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results:No significant inter-group difference existed in age, body mass index (BMI) or dialysis time. Both groups completed operations successfully. As compared with open group, operative duration, blocking time, venous anastomotic time and ureteral anastomosis time were longer in robot group. And the incidences of lymphatic fistula/cyst was higher in robot group than that in open group. Robot group was superior to open group in terms of hospitalization time, ventilation time, pain disappearance time and time to ambulate. No statistically significant inter-group difference existed in iliac vascular separation time, arterial anastomotic time, volume of blood loss and postoperative recovery of renal transplant function.Conclusions:RAKT is both safe and feasible at advanced surgical centers. Early evidence indicates that RAKT can accelerate the recovery of patients and achieve the same renal function recovery as open surgery. As surgeons become more proficient in RAKT technology, operative duration will be gradually shortened.