Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
[Comparative analysis of renal graft function after open vs. laparoscopic nephrectomy: experimental model]
A I Linares Quevedo1, F J Burgos Revilla, J J Villafruela Sanz
1Servicio de Urologia, Hospital de Fuenlabrada, Madrid. analinaresquevedo@hotmail.com
Introduction:
Living donor renal transplant reports a higher patient and graft survival in comparison to cadaver donor and represents a good alternative facing the current lack of organs for transplant.
Goals:
To analyze comparatively in an experimental model (pig) the influence of ischemia-reperfusion and functional outcome of renal graft retrieved by open Vs laparoscopic nephrectomy.
Material And Methods:
30 lab pigs were nephrectomized (left kidney): 15 by laparoscopy and 15 by open surgery, as living donors, in a model of renal autotransplant. Renal blood flow (RBF) was measured by means of an electromagnetic probe and creatinine levels during the first week after the implant.
Results:
Comparative analysis of RBF during the immediate 60 min after unclamping showed a significant reduction of average RBF in laparoscopic group in comparison to open group (p < 0.001), with a more evident reduction of RBF in the laparoscopic group during the 5-min period after unclamping (p < 0.001) and a progressive recuperation of RBF during the 1st hour, slowest in laparoscopic group. Creatinine levels in the first week after the transplant decreased progressively from 1.3 to 0.8 mgrs/dl in the open group and from 2 to 1.1 mg/dl in laparoscopic group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Renal grafts retrieved by laparoscopy presents a more evident ischemia-reperfusion syndrome shown by a lower average RBF after unclamping and a significant deterioration of renal function during the first week after transplant.
