![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr.-Nguyen-meeting-with-Stephen-16-x-9-1-1024x576.jpg\")
Steve Canzoneri, Mayo Clinic’s first patient to undergo a robotic pancreas-kidney transplant with Michelle Nguyen, M.D.<\/p>\nTransplant<\/p>\n
April 16, 2026<\/p>\n
Steve Canzoneri, Mayo Clinic’s first patient to undergo a robotic pancreas-kidney transplant with Michelle Nguyen, M.D.<\/p>\n
Mayo Clinic<\/a> is using new technology to help with diabetes-related kidney failure.<\/p>\n About 40 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes. Most are able to manage the condition with medication and lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n But in some cases, diabetes<\/a>, type 1 or type 2, can lead to more serious problems, including chronic kidney disease<\/a>, even kidney failure, leaving patients with only one option \u2013 a pancreas-kidney transplant<\/a>.<\/p>\n The transplant has been performed for decades. Now, surgeons at Mayo Clinic are performing the transplant robotically.\u00a0<\/p>\n Steve Canzoneri shares his life-changing story of becoming Mayo’s first patient to undergo a robotic pancreas-kidney transplant.<\/p>\n Watch: Mayo Clinic announces first robotic pancreas-kidney transplant<\/a><\/p>\n Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:45) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: “Mayo Clinic News Network.” Read the\u00a0script<\/a>.<\/p>\n Steve has battled diabetes most of his life. Despite treatment, diabetes still took a toll on his body and over time led to kidney failure<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I’ve had some major setbacks with diabetic complications and other things like that,” says Steve.<\/p>\n Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels. In most cases, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or the body can’t use it effectively. This can damage organs, especially the kidneys, leaving some patients like Steve in need of a pancreas-kidney transplant.<\/p>\n Steve got the transplant he needed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona<\/a>. He also became Mayo’s first patient to undergo the procedure robotically.<\/p>\n “Traditionally, this operation involves a very big incision, but with the minimally invasive approach, we’re able to offer patients a smaller incision,” says transplant surgeon Michelle Nguyen, M.D<\/a>. “That potentially allows the patient to recover faster, have less pain, have less risk of wound complications and just be able to return to their normal life more quickly.”<\/p>\n For the transplant, two surgeons sit at consoles guiding the robot with hand controls. The robot does not replace the surgeon \u2013 it enhances precision, accuracy and control.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The robot is actually just a tool that we use in the operating room that improves our magnifications, allows us to do a minimally invasive approach,” says transplant surgeon Nitin Katariya, M.D.<\/a> “We are in control the whole time.”<\/p>\n Goal of transplant<\/p>\n The transplant is more than just a treatment.<\/p>\n![\"Kidney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Surgery-with-robot-2-16-x-9-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Nitin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nitin-Katariya-M.D.-Transplant-Surgeon-1-16-x-9-1024x576.jpg\")
Nitin Katariya, M.D., transplant surgeon<\/p>\n