AdventHealth Porter first in Colorado to perform kidney retrieval with da Vinci 5

AdventHealth Porter has successfully completed its first robotic-assisted living kidney donor surgery using the da Vinci 5 (DV5) surgical system—marking a significant milestone in both the hospital’s surgical capabilities and the broader landscape of transplant care in Colorado.

The procedure, known as a donor nephrectomy, was the first of its kind at Porter using the DV5 platform. While other centers in Colorado have performed similar procedures using earlier versions of the da Vinci robot, this marks Porter’s debut with the latest generation of robotic technology.

The DV5 system introduces a suite of enhancements, including haptic feedback and refined console controls, allowing surgeons to perform the entire operation with heightened precision and control. These advancements are designed to improve patient outcomes by reducing post-operative pain and potentially shortening hospital stays.

“This donor had a higher BMI and more intra-abdominal adipose tissue than most donors,” said transplant surgeon, Dr. Hunter Moore. “The DV5 allowed for superior visualization of the kidney’s critical structures, which was essential for a safe and effective procedure.”

The journey to this achievement was a year in the making. The transplant team at Porter underwent extensive training, including performing lower-complexity abdominal surgeries, conducting mock donor operations using modified plastic models, and participating in in-person case observations at Washington University.

“We’re excited to be using the latest technology in robotic surgery,” Dr. Moore added. “As updates to the DV5 continue to roll out—including in-console imaging that integrates real-time surgical guidance—we plan to adopt these innovations to further enhance patient care.”

Looking ahead, the team anticipates that robotic-assisted donor nephrectomy could become the standard of care at Porter, contingent on continued favorable outcomes such as reduced pain and earlier discharges.

This milestone highlights AdventHealth Porter’s dedication to surgical innovation and exceptional patient care, strengthening its role in advancing transplant excellence across the Rocky Mountain Region.

To learn more, please visit: Liver and Kidney Transplant Center | AdventHealth Porter