Robotic surgery transplants kidney

Technique used for first time in world at Turin Molinette hospital cultivated in Lombardia

TURIN — According to Italian news reports, doctors in Italy’s Molinette Hospital have performed the world’s first robotic surgery. Dr. Paolo Gontero performed the surgery to transplant a kidney from one woman to another, and both are recovering. Surgical instruments were controlled by a set of robotic arms equipped with a high-definition camera.

The robotic arms are maneuvered by the surgeon through specific movements from a control console. The major benefit of robotic surgery is that it is minimally invasive, meaning only small incisions are needed. This breakthrough technology opens a door to new medical opportunities in helping treat patients more efficiently with lower risk.

— Edited by Gabe Spadaccini