No abstract

The authors present one of the first studies comparing open and robotic PD. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions concerning the long-term outcomes, short-term results show a positive trend in favor of the robotic approach without compromising the oncological principles associated with the open approach.

This prospective phase 1/2 trial investigated the safety and reproducibility of allogeneic islet transplantation (Tx) in type I diabetic (T1DM) patients and tested a strategy to achieve insulin-independence with lower islet mass. Ten C-peptide negative T1DM subjects with hypoglycemic unawareness received 1-3 intraportal allogeneic islet Tx and were followed for 15 months. Four subjects (Group 1) received the Edmonton immunosuppression regimen (daclizumab, sirolimus, tacrolimus). Six subjects (Group 2) received the University of Illinois protocol (etanercept, exenatide and the Edmonton regimen). All subjects became insulinindependent. Group 1 received a mean total number of islets (EIN) of 1460 080 ± 418 330 in 2 (n = 2) or 3 (n = 2) Tx, whereas Group 2 became insulin-independent after 1 Tx (537 495 ± 190 968 EIN, p = 0.028). All Group 1 subjects remained insulin free through the follow-up. Two Group 2 subjects resumed insulin: one after immunosuppression reduction during an infectious complication, the other with exenatide intolerance. HbA1c reached normal range in both groups (6.5 ± 0.6 at baseline to 5.6 ± 0.5 after 2-3 Tx in Group 1 vs. 7.8 ± 1.1 to 5.8 ± 0.3 after 1 Tx in Group 2). HYPO scores markedly decreased in both groups. Combined treatment of etanercept and exenatide improves islet graft function and facilitates achievement of insulin-independence with less islets.

As technology continues to evolve, robotic-assisted surgery has the potential to become a widely used attractive alternative to standard laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Despite increased rejection rates, graft and patient survivals indicate that desensitization of positive crossmatch patients is a reasonable alternative for a sensitized patient who could potentially wait 10 or more years for a suitable cadaveric kidney.