Kidney Transplant

Dr. Pier Giulianotti makes history by performing the first polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patient to undergo a robotic double nephrectomy and kidney transplant.

Dr. Pier Giulianotti, chief of general, minimally invasive, and robotic surgery at UI Health, alongside patient Christopher Adamsick, makes history as Adamsick becomes the first polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patient to undergo a robotic double nephrectomy and kidney transplant on September 24, 2020.

In a pioneering feat led by surgeons at UI Health, the clinical and academic health enterprise of the University of Illinois Chicago, Christopher Adamsick, 50, from Yorkville, Illinois, underwent a groundbreaking procedure on September 24, marking the world's first robotic-assisted double-kidney removal followed immediately by a living-donor kidney transplant in a patient with severe polycystic kidney disease.

This revolutionary procedure, led by Dr. Giulianotti represents a paradigm shift in treating PKD, traditionally reliant on open, invasive surgery. Dr. Giulianotti emphasizes the minimally invasive nature of the robotic approach, facilitating faster recovery and minimizing surgical risks for patients.

Polycystic kidney disease, affecting approximately 150,000 Americans, is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, leading to renal failure. A kidney transplant remains the only definitive treatment for the disease.

Adamsick, who battled PKD for years and underwent five weeks of dialysis before a transplant opportunity arose at UI Health, praises the procedure's minimal scarring, highlighting the single 6-inch incision and five smaller incisions facilitated by robotic technology.

Dr. Stephen Bartlett, a visiting clinical professor of surgery at UIC and a pioneer in treating PKD, underscores the debilitating effects of the disease and the urgency for effective treatment. Traditional surgical approaches necessitated extensive incisions with significant postoperative complications.

Innovating upon Bartlett's pioneering work, UI Health's integration of robotic technology represents a significant leap forward in improving surgical outcomes for PKD patients. Dr. Enrico Benedetti, the Warren H. Cole Chair of Surgery at UI Health, emphasizes the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted kidney transplants, particularly for obese patients like Adamsick, who face heightened surgical risks.

Dr. Giulianotti anticipates widespread adoption of this groundbreaking procedure, offering hope to PKD patients worldwide. The success of Adamsick's surgery heralds a new era of less traumatic and more efficient treatment for PKD, promising improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

UI Health's achievement underscores its commitment to pioneering medical innovation and delivering exceptional patient care, setting a new standard in transplant surgery, and transforming lives.

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