Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is safe and effective for complex renal masses when performed by experienced surgeons

摘要

The treatment of renal masses continues to evolve. While in previous surgical generations large and small tumors were routinely managed by nephrectomy, the modern paradigm is arguably more refined. The contemporary approach considers the individual patient’s overall clinical scenario, preferences, and the characteristics of the tumor itself. Active surveillance and percutaneous thermal ablation have been utilized more in recent years, and there is good evidence to support their employment in certain clinical scenarios (i.e., smaller, localized tumors) (1). However, partial or radical nephrectomy remains the stalwart intervention for larger renal masses or masses with concerning growth kinetics. The method by which surgery is undertaken is often surgeon specific, but the role of minimally invasive surgery has been expanded by both technology and innovative surgeons.