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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
Minimally invasive pediatric nephrectomy
W Bruce Harrell1, Brent W Snow
1University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Division of Urology, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
Since the first laparoscopic pediatric nephrectomy was performed in 1992, many articles have reported the feasibility of minimally invasive nephrectomy, heminephrectomy, and nephroureterectomy in children. This article reviews the literature related to minimally invasive nephrectomy, including robot-assisted surgery, and its complications published between November 2002 and November 2004.
Recent Findings:
The retroperitoneoscopic approach to nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy continues to prove successful in the pediatric population, although the transperitoneal approach is beneficial in combined upper and lower tract procedures. Initial reports on bilateral transperitoneal nephrectomy for nephrotic syndrome and laparoscopic nephrectomy for Wilms tumor are presented. Comparison studies between laparoscopic nephrectomy and open procedures are reviewed. Robot-assisted procedures are possible in children but little information is available on their pediatric use at the present time. Laparoscopy in children appears to have a similar complication rate to that in adults.
Summary:
More studies are needed to compare the outcomes of minimally invasive procedures with those of open procedures. Robot-assisted surgery offers promise but expense currently limits its use.
