Over four days, a Chinese team performed maximal kidney-preserving surgery—with the same domestic surgical robot—live at two consecutive world-class urological academic conferences: the Beijing Urology Laparoscopy and Robotics Conference, and the CILR-AI 2026 (Challenges in Laparoscopy, Robotics & AI) in Rome, Italy. The team led by Professor Li Xuesong from the Department of Urology at Peking University First Hospital (PUFH) delivered two masterful demonstrations of robot-assisted total intracavitary autologous kidney transplantation, showcasing China’s systematic capabilities in the field of complex upper urinary tract reconstruction to the global community.

Both procedures were performed on a domestic endoscopic surgical robot platform. Its high-definition 3D vision rendered deep anatomical structures in crisp, exquisite detail; its dexterous robotic arms carried out precise suturing inside the narrow pelvic cavity with effortless accuracy; and integrated intraoperative ICG fluorescence technology assessed blood perfusion in real time, providing intuitive guidance for every suture and every knot. The two live demonstrations not only highlighted the potential of domestic robot platforms in complex urological reconstruction scenarios, but also marked the outcomes of medical-engineering collaborative innovation between the Department of Urology at PUFH and domestic high-end medical equipment developers, all guided by real-world clinical needs.

These surgical demonstrations sent a clear message to the international urology community: in the field of complex upper urinary tract reconstruction, China has established a full, systematic capability chain spanning theoretical innovation, technical implementation, clinical expertise, and equipment support. This capability is shifting China’s role from “learning from the world” to “sharing with the world”.

From Beijing to Rome, from a leading domestic academic platform to the global arena of minimally invasive urology, the two live demonstrations fully embodied the department’s systematic clinical experience, solid technical reserves, and sustained innovation capacity in this field.

Written by: Fan Xiaofei

Edited by: Liu Xin

Source: Peking University First Hospital