Simultaneous Robotic-Assisted Bilateral Native Nephrectomy and Kidney Transplantation for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in Recipients With High Body Mass Index: Report of 2 Cases

Abstract

Robotic kidney transplantation is a safe, reproducible, and less morbid technique in high body mass index and end-stage renal disease. Polycystic kidney disease is a relative contraindication to robotic-assisted kidney transplantation because of the mass effect of the native kidneys on the patient's pelvis that prevents ideal exposure. We report the first 2 cases of robotic-assisted simultaneous bilateral nephrectomy and kidney transplantation for patients with obesity and adult polycystic kidney disease. The recipients were 2 males, 50 and 53 years old, with a body mass index of 35.1 41.6 kg/m2 and 41.6 kg/m2, respectively. Both recipients had suitable living donors. The average operating time was 395 minutes and the estimated blood loss was on average 250 mL. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patients were discharged home on days 4 and 5. Performing robotic nephrectomies simultaneously with kidney transplantation can be done safely, allowing patients with obesity and polycystic kidney disease needing bilateral nephrectomy, to take full advantage of minimally invasive kidney transplantation.