Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
Robotic-Assisted Versus Conventional Open Partial Nephrectomy (Robocop): A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of 249
Karl-Friedrich Kowalewski1, Dennis Müller2, Marietta Kirchner3
1Department of Urology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, karl.kowalewski@googlemail.com.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to compare open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robotic-assisted PN (RAPN) based on a propensity score-matched sample and to test the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) as an end point for complications.
Methods:
Patients undergoing PN from 2010 to 2018 at a university care center were included. OPN and RAPN cases were matched in a 2:1 ratio using propensity score-matching with age, gender, BMI, RENAL score, and tumor size as confounders. The primary end point was complications measured with the CCI as continuous score (0-100, 100 indicating death).
Results:
Data of 570 patients were available. After matching, both cohorts (OPN = 166; RAPN = 83) showed no baseline differences. For the primary end point, CCI, RAPN was superior (RAPN 2.6 ± 7.9 vs. OPN 8.7 ± 13.9; p < 0.001). Additionally, RAPN was superior for length of stay (RAPN 6.5 ± 4.0 vs. OPN 7.4 ± 3.5 days; p < 0.001), hemoglobin drop (RAPN 2.8 ± 1.4 vs. OPN 3.8 ± 1.6 g/dL; p < 0.001), and drop of glomerular filtration rate (RAPN 11.4 ± 14.2 vs. OPN 19.5 ± 14.3 mL/min; p < 0.001). OPN had shorter operating times (RAPN 157 ± 43 vs. OPN 143 ± 45 min; p = 0.014) and less ischemia (RAPN 13% vs. OPN 28%; p = 0.016).
Conclusions:
RAPN provides superior short-term results regarding overall complications without compromising renal function for small and less complex tumors. However, OPN remains an important option for more complex and larger tumors.
