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Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Overview |
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Historically, the treatment for kidney tumors required removal of the entire kidney. Over the past 2 decades improvements in surgical technique have made it possible to safely remove kidney tumors without removing the entire kidney. Large studies have now demonstrated that most kidney tumors 4 cm or less are best managed with a partial nephrectomy (removal of the tumor and only part of kidney). Recently minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach to total nephrectomy (removal of the entire kidney) have been popularized as a method to reduce pain and side effects associated with tradition open kidney surgery. The application of minimally invasive surgery to partial nephrectomy has been limited due to the technical difficulty of this operation. Recently, Dr. Ornstein has utilized the DaVinci Robot for partial nephrectomy and along with his associates have demonstrated that the robotic approach to less invasive partial nephrectomy is easier to learn than standard laparoscopy {Robotic versus Standard Laparoscopic Partial / Wedge Nephrectomy}. In our experience robotic partial nephrectomy is the safest and most effective minimally invasive technique for partial nephrectomy. Robotic Partial Nephrectomy is performed through 5 – 6 small holes (each smaller than 1 cm) in the abdmonal region, and is associated with less pain and fewer side effects than traditional open partial nephrectomy which is usually performed through a large incision in the side. Robotic partial nephrectomy is also associated with less blood and lower risk for transfusion than open partial nephrectomy. It has now been shown by our group as well as by others that robotic partial nephrectomy can achieve similar cure rates to that of open partial nephrectomy. Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Typical Outcomes* |
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