Robotic surgery enables kidney transplantation for individuals of all sizes

Robotic surgery enables kidney transplantation for individuals of all sizes

In a game-changer for thousands of Americans with end-stage renal disease, the introduction of our website's robotic kidney transplantation** has opened doors for those previously considered high-risk due to their body mass index (BMI).

"Getting a new kidney can drastically improve the lives of individuals who are forced to undergo regular dialysis treatments due to kidney failure," explains renal transplant surgeon Nima Nassiri, MD, who performed the first robotic kidney transplant in Westwood last July. He goes on to say, "It's crucial to provide this opportunity for high-risk patients who would have been on hold before, representing a significant leap forward."

UCLA's Kidney Transplant Program, one of the highest-volume programs globally, having performed over 8,000 transplants, is leading the charge for this revolutionary procedure.

The major hurdle with BMI-high patients has been the risk associated with surgical access to their blood vessels in the abdomen. "The larger the space to navigate, the higher the risk of wound infections, which can lead to long-term complications for patients already on immunosuppression and often living with diabetes," Dr. Nassiri explains.

Robotic surgery solves this problem by offering a minimally invasive procedure. Controlled from a console, robotic arms allow for greater manual dexterity through a smaller incision. "Improved visualization in a deep abdomen for patients with high BMI is a significant advantage, " Dr. Nassiri explains. "The smaller incisions, in areas less prone to infections, lower analgesic requirements, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery are all benefits of the robotic approach."

The UCLA Kidney Transplant Program is, indeed, leading the field, evaluating patients with BMIs as high as 45. But eligibility doesn't come easy for every patient. Those with significant vascular disease remain too high-risk for transplantation.

The inclusion of BMI-high patients in robotic transplant procedures has activated several patients from the waiting list. "Losing weight for obese patients on dialysis is incredibly hard," Dr. Nassiri admits. "These patients are already dieting and exercising as much as they can," he adds.

According to Dr. Nassiri, for individuals over 50 who are on dialysis and have diabetes, the five-year survival rate is just 50%. "Kidney transplantation significantly improves both survival and quality of life, regardless of the BMI," he says. "Getting these patients off the waitlist is our top priority, and we are achieving this by offering tailored, innovative approaches like this."

For more information about our website's Kidney Transplant Program, please visit our site.

Enrichment data suggests several advantages for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with high BMI:1. Reduced Surgical Risks: Robotic surgery minimizes risks associated with high BMI by providing better precision and access, potentially improving survival rates post-transplant.2. Minimally Invasive Approach: The use of robotics results in smaller incisions, leading to less tissue trauma and decreased risk of post-operative complications, improving survival and recovery.3. Faster Recovery: Robotic surgery typically leads to quicker recovery times compared to traditional surgery, allowing patients to return to their normal activities sooner, improving quality of life.4. Reduced Pain and Scarring: Minimally invasive robotic procedures result in less post-operative pain and smaller scars, enhancing the post-transplant experience for high BMI patients.5. Psychological Benefits: The psychological impact of a successful transplant, combined with reduced recovery time and less pain, can significantly improve a patient's mental health and well-being.6. Expanded Eligibility: The use of robotic surgery can make transplantation more accessible to a wider range of patients, while improved long-term health outcomes are possible due to reduced reliance on dialysis and its associated complications.

1. Robotic kidney transplantation, as demonstrated by our website's program, reduces surgical risks for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with high BMI by providing better precision and access, potentially improving survival rates post-transplant.
2. The use of robotic surgery results in smaller incisions for ESRD patients with high BMIs, leading to less tissue trauma and decreased risk of post-operative complications, promoting a faster recovery.
3. Minimally invasive robotic procedures for ESRD patients with high BMIs result in less post-operative pain and smaller scars, enhancing the post-transplant experience.
4. For ESRD patients with high BMI, the psychological impact of a successful transplant, combined with reduced recovery time and less pain, can significantly improve their mental health and well-being.
5. The inclusion of ESRD patients with high BMI in robotic transplant procedures can expand eligibility for transplantation, while improved long-term health outcomes are possible due to reduced reliance on dialysis and its associated complications.

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