Objective:Exploring the surgical method and safety of robot assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) with a kidney implanted through the vagina, currently there is no such surgery in China.Method:Retrospective analysis of the data of a 44-year-old postpartum woman with stage 5 chronic kidney disease admitted to the kidney transplantation ward of West China Hospital, Sichuan University on June 28, 2021. RAKT with a kidney inserted through the vagina was performed on the recipient. The transplanted kidney was cooled using continuous surface cooling technology (CSCT) using ice physiological saline. The recipient was followed up for 3 months after surgery. In addition, we searched the Wanfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, China Biomedical Literature Service System, PubMed, Embase, and Central databases. The Chinese search keywords were "robot kidney transplantation" and "vagina", while the English search keywords were "kidney transplantation" and "robot" and "vacuum". The literature was published from June 1990 to June 2022, and a detailed summary of all published cases was provided.Result:a perineal approach was used to open the posterior fornix of the vagina and the graft was successfully implanted. The surgery was successfully completed, with a total duration of 250 minutes, vascular anastomosis time of 45 minutes, and warm ischemia time of 63 minutes. The recipient recovered smoothly without vaginal pain and postoperative pain relief; There was also no abdominal infection. Using CSCT, the surface temperature of the graft was maintained at 10~16 ℃ during anastomosis. After literature review, a total of 12 cases of renal RAKT implantation through vagina have been reported. All cases were successful, except for one case where the graft was poorly positioned and converted to open surgery. The average surgical time reported in the literature is (210 ± 37) minutes, vascular anastomosis time is (41 ± 8) minutes, and warm ischemia time is (50 ± 10) minutes. There were no surgical complications.Conclusion:Transvaginal insertion of RAKT into the kidney is safe and feasible, but special types of recipients should be selected for this surgical method and evaluated before surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT) has been performed successfully, a standard preconditioning regimen has not been established. Based on the initial antidonor ABO antibody titers, an individualized preconditioning regimen is developed, and this study explored the efficacy and safety of the regimen. METHODS: From September 1, 2014, to September 1, 2020, we performed 1668 consecutive living-donor KTs, including 100 ABOi and 1568 ABO-compatible (ABOc) KTs. ABOi KT recipients (KTRs) with a lower antibody titer (≤1:8) were administered oral immunosuppressive drugs (OIs) before KT, while patients with a medium titer (1:16) received OIs plus antibody-removal therapy (plasma exchange/double-filtration plasmapheresis), patients with a higher titer (≥1:32) were in addition received rituximab (Rit). Competing risk analyses were conducted to estimate the cumulative incidence of infection, acute rejection (AR), graft loss, and patient death. RESULTS: After propensity score analyses, 100 ABOi KTRs and 200 matched ABOc KTRs were selected. There were no significant differences in graft and patient survival between the ABOi and ABOc groups (P  = 0.787, P  = 0.386, respectively). After using the individualized preconditioning regimen, ABOi KTRs showed a similar cumulative incidence of AR (10.0% υs . 10.5%, P  = 0.346). Among the ABOi KTRs, the Rit-free group had a similar cumulative incidence of AR ( P  = 0.714) compared to that of the Rit-treated group. Multivariate competing risk analyses revealed that a Rit-free regimen reduced the risk of infection (HR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12-0.78, P  = 0.013). Notably, antibody titer rebound was more common in ABOi KTRs receiving a Rit-free preconditioning regimen ( P  = 0.013) than those receiving Rit. ABOi KTRs with antibody titer rebound had a 2.72-fold risk of AR (HR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.01-7.31, P  = 0.048). ABOi KTRs had similar serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to those of ABOc KTRs after the first year. CONCLUSIONS An individualized preconditioning regimen can achieve comparable graft and patient survival rates in ABOi KT with ABOc KT. Rit-free preconditioning effectively prevented AR without increasing the risk of infectious events in those with lower initial titers; however, antibody titer rebound should be monitored.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Living Donors ; Kidney ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; ABO Blood-Group System ; Graft Rejection ; Graft Survival

Objective:To explore the safety and early prognosis of robot assisted living donor kidney transplantation(KT)and plot the learning curve of mastering the operation.Methods:From July 2020 to March 2021, 30 cases of living robot assisted KT were completed.The follow-up period was 3 months.Cumulative sum analysis was performed for plotting the learning curve.According to the learning curve, they were divided into two groups of practice period(the first 17 cases)and proficiency period(the last 13 cases). Time of each operative stage and early prognosis were compared.Kidney function and perioperative complications of two groups were compared for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of robot assisted KT.Results:The average operative duration was (221.4±36.1)min.No intestinal obstruction, delayed graft function, urinary leakage and incision infection occurred during perioperative period.The average anal exhaust time was(1.9±0.2)days.During follow-ups, both pulmonary infection(2 cases)and acute rejection(1 case)improved after treatment.According to the learning curve, venous anastomosis(10 cases), arterial anastomosis(12 cases), warm ischemic time(12 cases)and ureteral anastomosis(17 cases)should be performed for reaching a proficiency level.An average of 15 operations was required for achieving proficiency throughout operations.Significant inter-group differences existed in operative duration [(235.5±31.6)vs(203.0±34.3)min, P=0.012] and warm ischemic time [(63.7±24.9)vs(47.0±11.3)min, P=0.033]. At some postoperative timepoints, creatinine of proficiency group was lower than that of practice group, such as Day 7 post-operation [(192.7±135.2)vs(107.8±27.9)μmol/L, P=0.022] and Day 30 post-operation [(147.8±46.3)vs(112.3±28.0)μmol/L, P=0.021]. However, no significant difference existed in estimated glomerular filtration rate at Day 7 post-operation [(56.1±34.1)ml/(min·1.73m 2)vs(72.0±18.5)ml/(min·1.73m 2), P=0.14] and Day 30 post-operation [(56.2±18.9)ml/(min·1.73m 2)vs(68.7±15.3)ml/(min·1.73m 2), P=0.14]. Conclusions:Robot assisted KT is both safe and feasible.And the learning curve requires 17 cases for reaching a proficiency level.

OBJECTIVE To com pare the long-term efficacy and safety betwe en domestic Mycophenolate mofetil dispersible tablets（dt-MMF）and imported Mycophenolate mofetil capsules （c-MMF）in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS In retrospective cohort study ，the data of patients who had undergone the living donor kidney transplantat during the period of 2012 to 2014 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were screened and included ，and then divided into dt-MMF group and c-MMF group according to the drug use of kidney transplant recipients. Initial oral dose of dt-MMF and c-MMF were both 1 000 mg each time ， twice a day ；at the same time ，both groups were additionally given Tacrolimus capsules 1.5 mg，twice a day+Prednisone acetate tablets 5-10 mg，orally after breakfast every day. The clinical data of the two groups were collected before and after kidney transplant for 5 years；the efficacy and safety indexes of two drugs were compared ，and the robustness of results were analyzed by 1∶1 propensity score matching （PSM）. RESULTS A total of 666 kidney transplant recipients were included ，involving 316 patients in dt-MMF group and 350 patients in c-MMF group. The 5-year patient survival rates of dt-MMF group and c-MMF group were 99.68％ and 99.43％，the 5-year graft survival rates were 96.20％ and 94.29％，the acute rejection rates were 3.80％ and 6.57％，the 5-year chronic rejection rates were 2.22％ and 2.86％，and the incidences of delayed recovery of transplanted renal function were 0.63％ and 0.29％，respectively；there was no statistical significance （P＞0.05）. There were no significant differences in the incidence of major adverse events between 2 groups，including infection ，adverse events of the blood system and diges tive system （P＞0.05）. PSM analysis indicated the efficacy and safety results were robust （except for acute rejection ）. CONCLUSIONS There is no significant difference in clinical efficacy and safety between dt-MMF and c-MMF for immunosuppression after kidney transplant.

Objective:To evaluate the safety of pregnancy after kidney transplantation and summarize the optimal timing of pregnancy and the experience in the management during pregnancy and peripartum.Methods:A total of 25 kidney transplant recipients were pregnant during March 2013 to February 2020. A matched cohort of 75 general pregnant women wasincluded as control.Results:Twenty-five women successfully delivered healthy babies in the transplant group. The mean age at kidney transplantationwas (25.6 ±3.2) years old, and the mean interval between transplantation and conception was (54.0±23.1) months. 92% (23 / 25) of recipients had cesarean surgery and all infants were singletons.During pregnancy, the incidence of preeclampsia was significantly higher in the transplant group(20.0%VS. 1.3%, P=0.001)compared with matched control. Compared with pre-pregnancy, the serum creatinine levels of the recipients decreased in the second trimester( P<0.001)and increased in the third trimester( P=0.019), which was similar with the control group. In the third trimester, 40%(10/25)of recipients in the transplant group had proteinuria, which decreased to negative(5/10) or 1+ (4/10) within 6 months after delivery. No rejection occurred in all patients during pregnancy and 6 months after delivery. A higher dose of tacrolimus was needed to maintain the normal trough level after pregnancy, which returned to routine dose postpartum. Conclusions:Although the risk of pregnancy was higher in kidney transplant recipients than that in non-transplant women, the overall risk was acceptable. Strict screening of patients preparing for pregnancy, adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs, and multi-disciplinary collaboration are important for safe pregnancy and delivery.

Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of retrograde machine perfusion of kidneys from deceased donors.Methods:From January 1, 2020 to July 1, 24 renal transplant recipients underwent organ donation.All grafts were preserved by Kidney Transporter machines(LifePort). Through a random number table, they were divided into two groups of retrograde perfusion(RP group, 12 cases)and anterograde perfusion group(AP group, 12cases). The incidence of delayed recovery of kidney/graft function was compared between two groups.Results:During a follow-up period of 1 month, kidney resistance remained stable in RP group during perfusion.No primary non-function occurred in neither groups.No inter-group difference existed in the incidence of delayed graft function (3 in RP and 2 in AP, P=0.62). At all timepoints within 30 days, both groups had comparable values of urine output, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, cystatin c and blood urea nitrogen.RP group with a resistance index of <0.4 had numerically better kidney function than those with a resistance index of ≥0.4. Conclusions:This novel technique may be an effective and safe alternative for kidney preservation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of pretreating with oral immunosuppressants alone for ABO-incompatible (ABOi) renal transplant recipients with an initial isoagglutinin titer <1: 8.Methods:From September 2014 to October 2019, 16 cases of ABOi renal transplantation pretreated with oral immunosuppressants alone and 32 cases of ABO-compatible (ABOc) renal transplantation were recruited for comparing the inter-group incidence of graft function, acute rejection, infection and recipient and allograft survival.Results:The 16 ABOi renal transplantations were AB-to-A(n=4), AB-to-B(n=3), A-to-B(n=1), B-to-A(n=4), A-to-O(n=2) and B-to-O(n=2). The initial isoagglutinin titer (IgM & IgG) and that on the date of transplantation were both ≤1∶8. The median follow-up period was 495(90-1696) days. One patient in ABOi group underwent allograft nephrectomy due to hyperacute rejection. The graft survival rates were 93.75%(15/16) and 100%(32/32) in ABOi and ABOc groups respectively. No recipient died. No significant inter-group difference existed in postoperative renal function after 6 months (serum creatinine μmol/L: 114.30±28.13 vs. 106.08±23.80, P=0.38; eGFR ml/min/1.73 m 2: 64.93±19.60 vs. 82.34±22.58, P=0.13). In ABOi group, there were 3 episodes of postoperative infection, 2 episodes of acute rejection within 2 weeks (including 1 episode of hyperacute rejection) and 1 episode of acute rejection after 2 weeks; 5 episodes of postoperative infection, no acute rejection within 2 weeks and 5 episodes of acute rejection after 2 weeks in ABOc group. No significant inter-group difference existed in the incidence of infection or rejection ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Using oral immunosuppressant alone is both safe and feasible for ABOi renal transplantation recipients with an initial isoagglutinin titer ≤1∶8. It may greatly simplify the pretreatment scheme for those with a low initial isoagglutinin titer and lower the incidence of complications.

Objective To reduce the perioperative complications of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK ) and boost the clinical efficacy by exploring its perioperative management in diabetics with end-stage renal disease .Methods Retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 5 diabetics with end-stage renal disease undergoing SPK since 2017 .Results The cold ischemic time of all allografts was under 8 hours .No surgical complications occurred in recipients post-transplantation .Two patients were complicated with hyperkalemia and their serum potassium levels normalized after treatment .One case of bleeding in abdominal cavity was cured conservatively . Renal functions of two patients with delayed renal function post-transplantation gradually recovered after hematodialysis . One case of peritransplant fluid collection recovered after debridement and drainage .Another case of acute left heart failure and cardiac arrest at 45 days post-transplantation resumed normal heart rhythm after rescue .However ,his consciousness could not be restored and his families gave up subsequent treatments . Transplanted kidneys and pancreases of these 4 patients normalized .Follow-up was conducted until March 20 , 2019 . They became insulin and dialysis independent and serum creatinine and blood glucose normalized .Diabetic complications were relieved and their quality-of-life also improved significantly .Conclusions SPK is an effective treatment for diabetics with end-stage renal disease .While maintaining normal serum creatinine and blood glucose , it may liberate patients from insulin dosing and dialytic maintenance ,lower diabetic complications and improve quality-of-life .

Objective To evaluate the safety of super-minimal incision kidney transplantation (SMIKT).Methods We included the clinical data and outcomes of 40 cases of SMIKT and 56 cases of conventional Gibson incision kidney transplantation (CIKT),and compared the operation time,post operative pain,analgesic requirements,1 month renal function and 1 month Vancouver scar scale between the two groups.Results As compared with CIKT,operation time was significantly shortened (100 ± 10 versus 127.5 ± 34.3 min,P =0.044),incision length was significantly shortened (5.2 ± 0.2 versus 13.0 ± 2.0 cm,P＜0.001),and post-operative pain at day 1 was significantly reduced in SMIKT (1.31 ± 1.15 versus 4.02 ± 1.83,P =0.004).However,there was no significant difference in post-operative pain at day 2 and day 3 between CIKT and SMIKT.SMIKT required less analgesic medications than CIKT (3.13 ± 1.74 versus 11.69 ± 2.89,P =0.002).No significant difference in 1 month renal function was observed between two groups.SMIKT had fewer Vancouver scar scale score than CIKT (6.50 ± 0.58 versus 8.67 ± 0.58,P =0.004).Conclusion SMIKT is a safe novel surgery,which can significantly reduce operation time,post-operative pain,had fewer analgesic requirements and better 1-month cosmetic effect.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of individualized preconditioning in ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation.Methods A series of 36 living donor kidney transplants across a wide range of ABO blood group incompatibilities using individualized preconditioning protocols were performed from September 2014 to June 2017.Preconditioning included oral immunosuppressants with or without the administration of rituximab,PE or DFPP.Medical records and electronic databases were reviewed for isoagglutinin titers,patient and graft survivals,graft function,rejections,infections as well as surgical complications.Results Of 30 ABO blood group incompatibilities,there were 6 cases of AB to A,2 cases of AB to B,4 cases of A to B,3 cases of B to A,13 cases of A to O (13),and 8 cases of B to O.Median initial ABO antibody titers were 1∶32 (1∶2-1∶256) (IgM) and 1 ∶ 8 (0-1∶64) (IgG),respectively.Individualized preconditioning included oral immunosuppressants alone (10 cases),oral immunosuppressants + PE (4 cases),oral immunosuppressants + PE + DFPP (1 case),oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + PE (16 cases),oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + DFPP (2 cases),and oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + PE+ DFPP (3 cases).After individualized preconditioning,an acceptable ABO antibody titer (≤1 ∶ 16) was obtained on the day of transplantation.Median follow-up duration was 12 months (1-33).Graft and patient survival rate was 94.4％ (34/36) and 100％ (36/36) respectively.Median value of serum creatinine at one year posttransplantation was 89 μmol/L,and eGFR was (81.07 mL/min/1.73 m2).In total,there was one episode of urinary tract infection and upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage,two cases of hyperacute rejection (leading to graft loss),acutecelluar-mediated rejection,delayed graft function,bone marrow suppression and pneumonia,and 3 cases of acute antibody-mediated rejection and wound fat liquefaction,respectively.Conclusion Our initial experience indicates that individualized preconditioning protocol based on initial ABO antibody titers is safe and technically feasible,and leads to excellent short-term survival of ABOi living donor kidney transplantation.