Jinna Yao

Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Jinna Yao is a pioneering surgeon whose work is reshaping the landscape of kidney transplantation through the integration of robotic technology. Her primary research focuses on robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) and minimally invasive surgical techniques for complex renovascular conditions. Yao’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that robotic surgery can be safely applied to kidney transplantation, particularly for obese recipients—a population traditionally at higher risk for complications. Her most-cited paper, "The Evolution of Kidney Transplantation Surgery Into the Robotic Era and Its Prospects for Obese Recipients" (2018, 37 citations), provides a comprehensive review of how RAKT represents the latest innovation in a field that began with early 20th-century vascular techniques. In a landmark achievement, Yao performed and described Australia’s first reported case of robotic kidney autotransplantation for a complex renal artery aneurysm (2020, 6 citations). This work showcases a minimally invasive method for salvaging renal parenchyma and preserving function in patients with challenging renovascular conditions. By advancing robotic techniques, Yao is expanding surgical options for high-risk patients and setting new standards for precision and recovery in transplant surgery.