Robotic versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for bilateral synchronous kidney tumors: single-institution...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Bilateral synchronous renal tumors present a surgical challenge for nephron-sparing approaches.
• Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is an emerging technique for renal tumors.
• Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is an established minimally invasive option.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes of RPN versus LPN for bilateral synchronous renal tumors.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RPN in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparison of patients undergoing bilateral RPN (n=9) versus sequential bilateral LPN (n=17).
• Data collected from an institutional review board-approved, prospectively maintained kidney cancer database.
• Comparison of demographic, intraoperative, postoperative, and short-term renal functional data.

Main Results:

• RPN group had a shorter median warm ischemia time (19 vs 37 minutes, P=.059).
• RPN group showed significantly better median postoperative glomerular filtration rate (68.7 vs 26.9 mL/min/1.73 m², P=.004).
• No significant difference in complication rates between RPN and LPN groups.

Conclusions:

• RPN is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for bilateral synchronous kidney tumors.
• RPN demonstrates a trend towards reduced warm ischemia time and improved postoperative renal function compared to LPN.