Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Treating Renal Masses: Outcomes and Complications

Partial nephrectomy is the preferred treatment for renal tumors <7 cm. Robot-assisted laparoscopic approach is a minimally invasive method that offers advantages for resecting complex tumors. Here, we conducted a descriptive retrospective analysis of the first robotic partial nephrectomies (RPNs) performed at our center.

A retrospective cohort of 94 patients who consecutively underwent RPN at our center between November 2012 and December 2022 was investigated. Baseline patient data, tumor characteristics, intraoperative variables, pathological tumor analysis, and postoperative complications at 30 days were analyzed.

The patients were followed up for a median of 25.3 months. Baseline values included a median age of 63 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 28.1. Intraoperative variables comprised a median surgical time of 150 min and a median warm ischemia time of 16 min. The mean postoperative creatinine level was 1 mg/dL. The median tumor size was 41.9 mm, with a median PADUA score of 8 and a median RENAL score of 8. Resected tumors were predominantly cT1a (58.5%) and cT1b (39.3%), while the positive margin rate was 21.3%. A total of 19.2% of the patients experienced Clavien-Dindo complications, of which 11% were Clavien-Dindo I; 66.7%, Clavien-Dindo II; And 22.2%, Clavien-Dindo IIIb. However, no Clavien-Dindo IIIa or IV complications were reported.

RPN is an effective and safe technique for treating solid renal masses, demonstrating a low complication rate and adequate oncologic control locally and distally.