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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy
Dana K Nanigian1, William Smith, Lars M Ellison
1Department of Urology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA.
Background:
Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper-tract urothelial tumors is a minimally invasive approach that parallels the open technique in oncologic efficacy. Multiple approaches to manage the distal ureter have been described. We developed a new technique using the daVinci robot system to perform a transvesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff.
Patients And Methods:
Ten consecutive patients with upper-tract urothelial cancer underwent a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The daVinci robot was docked through the umbilical, ipsilateral lateral rectus, and an additional contralateral lateral rectus port. The bladder was clam-shelled in a coronal orientation at the dome and the distal ureterectomy performed.
Results:
Our technique was successful in all ten patients. The mean operative time for the entire case was 4.4 hours. The average hospital stay was 3 days.
Conclusions:
Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is a safe, minimally invasive approach to upper- tract urothelial cancer that reduces the technical challenge of excision of the distal ureter.
