Mayo Clinic Announces Minnesota’s First Robotic-Assisted Kidney Transplant

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Mayo Clinic says its surgeons have completed a first of its kind transplant in Minnesota. 

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An announcement issued by Mayo on Tuesday says the transplant happened on October 4. The patient was a woman in her 60’s, who received a kidney from her daughter. 

The surgeons tasked with carrying out the kidney transplant were assisted by a robot, making the procedure the first of its kind in Minnesota, Mayo says. Dr. Timucin Taner and Dr. Patrik Dean performed the historic surgery. 

“Mayo Clinic has been a leader in the field of kidney transplants for six decades. We are proud to continue that tradition by completing the first robotic-assisted kidney transplant in Minnesota," Dr. Tanner said in a news release. 

Traditional kidney transplants require surgeons to make a 4-8 inch long incision along the side of the patient’s body. The robotic-assisted transplant only requires a two-inch incision below the belly button and a smaller cut to insert the robotic equipment, according to Mayo Clinic. 

Once the equipment is in place, the surgeon can then operate the robotic equipment to complete the transplant. 

“A robotic-assisted kidney transplant requires a smaller incision. It lowers the risk that patients will experience complications, such as an infection or hernia. Patients may also have less discomfort and a speedier recovery, potentially meaning less time in the hospital after surgery," says Dr. Dean, surgical director of Mayo Clinic's Kidney Transplant Program in Minnesota. 

Mayo says the robotic-assisted transplant could be especially beneficial for patients with a higher body mass index and may reduce the risk of incisional complications, such as hernia or infection.