Robotic Partial Nephrectomy (Nephron Sparing Surgery)
Historically, removal of the entire kidney was the standard of care for all kidney tumors. Within the last 20 years, removing just the kidney tumor – known as a partial nephrectomy - has been shown to be effective in controlling cancer, but provide the benefits of the patient keeping the rest of an otherwise healthy kidney. Until recently, partial nephrectomies required an open incision with the need to remove a rib and can be complicated by post-operative flank bulges.
More contemporary approaches to partial nephrectomy have utilized robotic minimally invasive approaches to:
1) maintain cancer control
2) save the non-cancerous part of the kidney
3) speed recovery and total healing time
The enhanced visualization and magnification with robotic surgery helps surgeons using a minimally invasive approach to adequately visualize the kidney tumor to help ensure a clear resection without damaging the remaining healthy kidney tissue.
The picture below shows the new scars (red) after a robotic partial nephrectomy performed in a woman with a solitary kidney – keeping her off dialysis by saving the healthy kidney. The black line shows the prior large incision needed to remove the other kidney at an earlier operation. This scar is similar to the type of incision used for a traditional open partial nephrectomy.
More information about Robotic Surgery.
