Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction and navigation in robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal masses in the solitary kidney: A comparative study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Numerous efforts were made to improve renal function and oncologic outcomes in surgery for patients with kidney cancer. We explored new robotic methods in solitary kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively registered and included 16 patients in the 3D-robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) group with a solitary kidney (anatomic or functional), and retrospectively identified 25 patients with a solitary kidney who received RAPN also operated by us for comparison. RESULTS: The rates of global clamping reduced in the 3D-RAPN group (37.5% vs 76%)while selective rates were higher (56.2% vs 20%) (p = 0.028). The mean percentages of Scr increase (+20.2% vs +30.2%, p = 0.045) and eGFR reduction (-16.8% vs -27.1%) as well as rate of opening collecting systems (31.3% vs 72%, p = 0.010) were lower in 3D-RAPN group. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-RAPN less impaired the renal function of patients with a solitary kidney and showed superiority or non-inferiority in other evaluation indexes compared to conventional RAPN.