Current status of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN)

OBJECTIVE Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is a minimally invasive option for patients undergoing nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). As the technique of RPN develops and matures, intraoperative and perioperative outcomes continue to be reported. In the current review, we discuss safety, efficacy, and recent technical advances in RPN. METHODS A Medline search using the keywords 'partial nephrectomy', 'robotic partial nephrectomy', 'robot partial nephrectomy', 'robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy', and 'laparoscopic partial nephrectomy' was conducted to identify original articles, review articles, and editorials on RPN. RESULTS There have been multiple recent retrospective studies comparing RPN with laparoscopic PN (LPN). These comparisons suggest a shorter learning curve for RPN and confirm the safety and feasibility of RPN, even for select complex renal masses. Novel techniques have been developed in efforts to decrease warm ischaemia time. These include use of sliding-clip renorrhaphy, selective renal parenchymal clamping, and 'early unclamping' or 'no-clamp' techniques. CONCLUSIONS RPN appears to be a viable minimally invasive option for NSS. RPN may reduce some of the technical challenges associated with LPN, and thus, extend the potential benefits of minimally invasive NSS to a larger population. Further studies of the long-term renal functional outcomes and oncological efficacy of RPN are needed before fully advocating this technique.