Introduction
Traditionally, kidney transplantation is carried out through an incision in the lower abdomen. The length of the wound varies depending on surgeon’s preference and the body habitus of the patient. In general, obese recipients require larger incisions. Similarly, in children, compared to body size, larger incisions are placed for kidney transplantation.
Several risk factors for wound related problems are already known like obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, etc.
Transplant recipients have additional risk factors like use of immunosuppressants and additional comorbidities.
In general, larger wounds are associated with more wound related problems in terms of more pain, longer convalescence and post-operative recovery, poor cosmesis and higher chances of wound infections (especially with immunosuppression). The only factor not in favor of robotic kidney transplant is the cost as compared to the open transplant.
