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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
Robot-assisted resection of renal tumor in children and comparison with laparoscopic surgery
Min He1, Shuangai Liu2, Ziqi He3
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No. 3333 Binsheng Rode, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Background:
Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is being performed with increasing frequency in pediatric oncology. We report our experience with RAS for renal tumors in children and compare the outcomes between RAS and laparoscopic surgery (LAS).
Methods:
A total of 23 patients with renal tumor who underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS) between January 2020 and December 2023 were included in the study. The inclusion criteria enrolled in this study was unilateral tumors with maximum tumor diameter less than 10 cm. Patients who had enlarged lymph node, venous thrombosis, preoperative tumor rupture, bilateral renal tumor, or extrarenal extension on imaging were deemed contraindications and excluded. Patient demographics, operative details, postoperative outcomes and follow-up were recorded.
Results:
Among these patients, 17 underwent RAS and 6 underwent LAS. In the RAS group, the median age was 64 months (range, 9-156) with a median weight of 19.48 kg (range, 8.4-46.5); the maximum tumor diameter at operation was 55.65 mm (range, 22-88); the operation time was 188.8 min (range, 120-210), the intraoperative blood loss was 20 ml (range, 5-50), and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range 1-9). There was no significant difference in patients' age, weight, location, tumor size, histological pattern and operation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). The RAS group had a significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.026) and less length of postoperative stay (P = 0.01) than the LAS group.
Conclusion:
Our initial experience suggested that RAS in pediatric renal tumor was feasible and safe, and it reduced surgical trauma and accelerate postoperative recovery for the patients. Due to the limitations of sample size and study quality, the clinical importance of these findings still needs to be further verified.
Insights
Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) for pediatric renal tumors is safe and effective, reducing blood loss and hospital stays compared to laparoscopic surgery (LAS). Further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger studies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Technology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is increasingly utilized in pediatric oncology.
- This study evaluates RAS for renal tumors in children, comparing it to laparoscopic surgery (LAS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) versus laparoscopic surgery (LAS) for pediatric renal tumors.
- To assess the feasibility and safety of RAS in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study included 23 pediatric patients with unilateral renal tumors (max diameter <10 cm).
- Patients underwent either RAS (17) or LAS (6) between January 2020 and December 2023.
- Exclusion criteria included enlarged lymph nodes, venous thrombosis, tumor rupture, bilateral tumors, or extrarenal extension.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in patient age, weight, tumor size, or operative time between RAS and LAS groups.
- The RAS group demonstrated significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P=0.026).
- Patients undergoing RAS had a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (P=0.01).
Conclusions:
- Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) appears feasible and safe for pediatric renal tumors.
- RAS may reduce surgical trauma and accelerate postoperative recovery.
- Larger studies are required to validate these preliminary findings due to sample size limitations.
