Surgeons from the University of California will perform the first robotic bladder transplant in history. They presented their plan at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting in Chicago.
Bladder transplant is not suitable for people with bladder disease. The fact is that although the bladder may seem like a simple organ, it has a complex vascular structure in the pelvic region, which makes the transplant process extremely difficult. So now doctors can try to remove the diseased bladder instead of transplant and try to create a new one from intestinal tissue. But this procedure is not suitable for everyone and carries a high risk of side effects.
However, a new clinical trial may solve the problem, and people with bladder cancer may soon undergo organ transplant surgery.
Urologists at the University of Southern California plan to perform the world’s first bladder transplant using a high-resolution 3D camera to control a robot. The robot can make smaller, more precise cuts with greater dexterity than human surgeons.
Scientists noted that the first bladder transplant could be a historic step in improving the lives of people with bladder cancer. The surgical team estimates that the trial will be completed by October 3, 2025.