Does the Use of Mini-Incisions In Renal Transplantation Surgery Affect Postoperative Parameters: Single Center Experience.

Background: Kidney transplantation can be performed with different surgical approaches, such as conventional open kidney transplantation (CKT), minimally invasive kidney transplantation (MIKT), laparoscopic kidney transplantation, and robot-assisted kidney transplantation. Conventional open kidney transplantation is usually performed using a Gibson or hockey stick incision, may be associated with higher wound complication rates, and results in worse cosmetic outcomes compared with minimally invasive methods. Minimally invasive kidney transplantation is performed with a smaller skin incision than CKT but may result in limited surgical exposure. This study aimed to compare the surgical results of MIKT and CKT.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with a body mass index of 22 kg/m and below and with no anatomic variations in computed tomography were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients who underwent CKT were included in group 1, and twenty-two patients who underwent MIKT were included in group 2. Patient data were collected retrospectively. This study was conducted in compliance with The Helsinki Congress and The Declaration of Istanbul.

Results: The mean incision length was calculated as 12.7 cm in group 1 and 7.3 cm in group 2 (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of lodge preparation time, vein clamp time, artery clamp time, ureteroneocystostomy time, visual analog scale scores, postoperative creatinine levels, or complication rates (P > .05 for each comparison).

Conclusions: Without compromising the goals and primary concerns of transplantation surgery, MIKT can be offered to selected transplant patients with cosmetic concerns.