J Korean Med Assoc.  2006 Dec;49(12):1154-1163. 10.5124/jkma.2006.49.12.1154.

Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Kidney Transplantation

• Kim SH
• Mun SP

• KMID: 2184745
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.12.1154

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been applied to nearly all fields of surgery due to its advantages like reduced morbidity, a better cosmetic outcome and early recovery. The recent advances in its technique have allowed us to use modified MIS technique in the field of kidney transplantation. From January 2004 to Mar 2006, minimally invasive kidney transplantation was carried out in 20 patients. Many clinical variables were compared to the conventional method. The operative procedure began with 7~8 cm skin incision. A laparoscopic balloon dissector was used to create the retroperitoneal space for the placement of the grafted kidney. Vascular anastomosis and ureteroneocystostomy were performed under direct vision and with video-assisted TV monitoring. The average length of the wound was 7.8 cm and it was placed below the belt line. The average operating time was 186 minutes. Less analgesic was given compared to conventional methods. There was one postoperative complication, a mild lymphocele. All patients showed normalized serum creatinine levels within 4 days. All grafted kidneys showed normal findings on the postoperative ultrasound and renal scans. Minimally invasive video-assisted kidney transplantation is technically feasible and may offer benefits in terms of better cosmetic outcomes, less pain and quicker recuperation than conventional kidney transplantation.

Keyword

Minimally invasive surgery; Kidney transplantation

MeSH Terms

Creatinine
Humans
Kidney Transplantation*
Kidney*
Lymphocele
Postoperative Complications
Retroperitoneal Space
Skin
Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive
Surgical Procedures, Operative
Transplants
Ultrasonography
Wounds and Injuries
Creatinine

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A) The location and course of the external iliac vessels (thick arrow) and the contour of the urinary bladder (thin arrow) were marked preoperatively using ultrasound (B) A 7~8 cm incision was made from the imaginary line of the external iliac vessels to anterolateral part of bladder

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  Figure 2 (A) Illustration of the making of retroperitoneal space by balloon dissector. 20~25 ml of room air was insufflated to the balloon (black arrow head) per each compressing of the pump (thick black arrow) (B) The telescope was inserted through the trocar of the balloon dissector and we investigated whether the space was large enough or if any complications such as bleeding or the perforation of peritoneum existed (C) For the approach to the retroperitoneal area, the aponeurotic confluence of the three abdominal muscles, just lateral to the rectus muscle, was opened about 2cm (D) A laparoscopic balloon dissector was inserted into the retroperitoneal area and 250~ 300ml of room air was insufflated to make a retroperitoneal space for the placement of the grafted kidney

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  Figure 3 Illustration of the lifting of the external iliac vessels. Nearly all external iliac vessels were dissected as long as possible within the skin incision and lifted up to the level of skin to facilitate the vascular anastomosis

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  Figure 4 (A) Illustration of the retractor and video-assisted TV monitoring (B) The kidney was placed just above the skin incision. Surgical retractor made the better operative fields with the help of specially designed blades (thin black arrow). Laparoscope was useful for the visualizing and the illumination of the operative fields that was not exposed well to the assistant surgeon located the opposite side (thin white arrow). In this figure, the left side of venous anastomosis is being performed and assistant surgeon (thick black arrow) is helping the operator (thick white arrow) seeing the TV-monitor located at the left side of the patients

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  Figure 5 The grafted kidney was placed into the retroperitonealspace after the identification of a sufficient urine output. A ureter with good segmental contraction and urination is seen (black arrow)

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  Figure 6 Comparison of the cosmetic outcomes MIVAKT=minimal invasive video assisted kidney transplantation, CKT=conventional kidney transplantation

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