Alberta teen one of the 1st pediatric patients to undergo robot-assisted transplant

Raiden Delaney recently had a robot-assisted kidney transplant. CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti has the story.

Alberta teen Raiden Delaney has become one of the first pediatric patients to receive a robot-assisted transplant.

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Delaney, who is 16-years-old, got a new kidney last month after three years of dialysis.

“I get to swim again … I get to eat all the food I want, drink all the fluids I want,” said Delaney.

He is one of two Canadian teens to undergo the procedure, and the first in the province.

“It’s cool to know that I’m the first Albertan to get it done,” he said.

The surgery was first performed at the University of Alberta Hospital on 20 adult patients over the last year. The robotic arms make smaller incisions for a minimally invasive approach.

“What that translates to is faster recovery, way less pain – so less pain medication, less narcotic usage – and most importantly, lower wound complications,” said Dr. Max Levine, a U of A hospital surgeon.

The success among adult patients helped lead the way for younger patients like Delaney to go under the knife. His mother says recovery has been life changing.

“To see how well he is now and how good he’s doing and to actually get to see him enjoy being a kid … that’s tremendous for me,” said Delaney’s mom Lisa Jackson.

Dr. Levine said demand for the metal “helping hands” is growing with awareness.

“It feels really good to be able to demonstrate that this is feasible and it works well with this population.”