Comparison of surgical outcomes and split renal function between laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy:...

The objective of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes and total and split renal function between laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Predictive risk factors of preservation of operated renal function were also assessed.

We retrospectively analyzed 173 patients who underwent LPN (n = 84) or RAPN (n = 89) between 2010 and 2020. After propensity score matching (1:1), perioperative outcomes and total and split renal function were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictive risk factors of preservation of operated renal function. Trifecta criteria were defined as negative surgical margins, warm ischemia time (WIT) < 25 min, and no complications more than Clavien-Dindo grade II within 4 weeks after surgery. Split renal function was evaluated by mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal scan.

After propensity score matching, 42 patients were allocated to each group. RAPN was associated with significantly shorter WIT (RAPN vs LPN: 12 vs 22 min; p < 0.0001) and higher trifecta achievement rate (93.3 vs 64.2%; p < 0.0001). Other perioperative outcomes and total and split renal function were not significantly different between LPN and RAPN. The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS) was a predictive risk factor of preservation of operated renal function in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.29-2.20, p < 0.0001).

RAPN improved WIT and trifecta achievement rate, but it did not improve the preservation of operated renal function, for which RNS was found to be a strong predictive risk factor.