In a pioneering medical procedure at the Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC), brothers José Blas and Pablo Laiz from Gran Canaria have made history with the Canary Islands' first living-donor kidney transplant using robotic surgery.
Pablo donated a kidney to his elder brother, José Blas, who had been battling kidney disease for over two decades. Expressing profound gratitude, José Blas remarked, "He has saved my life."
Pablo was steadfast in his decision to assist his brother, especially after receiving detailed information from the medical team that alleviated any concerns. Observing his brother's swift recovery, he described the act as “one of love and generosity”.
Facing deteriorating health during dialysis, José Blas sought a transplant to enhance his quality of life and actively participate in raising his eight-year-old son. The successful transplant has not only transformed his life but also marked a significant milestone for HUC and the Canary Islands. While living-donor kidney transplants have been performed at HUC since 2017, this was the first instance of robotic surgery for organ implantation. Pablo's kidney extraction was conducted laparoscopically.
The brothers were ideal candidates for this advanced procedure, which is only performed in a select number of hospitals across Spain and Europe. Robotic technology offers benefits such as reduced bleeding, decreased postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays, leading to faster patient recovery. Pablo noted that his brother's recovery was swift, and he himself resumed normal activities within weeks.
Recalling his experience, José Blas mentioned that shortly after surgery, he was already communicating with his son via a video call, surprised by his rapid recovery. He expressed profound gratitude for being selected for this technique and for his brother's selfless act.
During a press conference, Dr. Tomás Concepción, head of Urology at HUC, explained that robotic surgery is minimally invasive and allows for precise movements in confined spaces. He emphasised that the 'da Vinci' robot used is entirely controlled by the surgeons, enhancing precision by eliminating tremors. The hospital's robotic program is robust, extending to various procedures, and another candidate for this surgery has already been identified.
Dr. Domingo Hernández, head of Nephrology at HUC, expressed gratitude towards both living and deceased donors. He highlighted that HUC ranks among the top ten Spanish hospitals in kidney transplants performed in 2024. However, he noted that Spain's rate of living-donor transplants (10%) is lower compared to Nordic countries (30%-40%). He advocated for increased public awareness to achieve the national goal of 20%.
