Abstract & Overview
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has become widely used for treatment of renal cell carcinoma and it is expanding in the field of complex renal masses. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze outcomes of RAPN for completely endophytic renal masses, large tumors (cT2-T3), renal cell carcinoma in solitary kidney, recurrent tumors, completely endophytic and hilar masses, and simultaneous and multiple tumors. A comprehensive search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed in December 2022 for English language papers. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the role of RAPN in the setting of each category of complex renal masses considered. Secondary endpoint was to evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes. After screening 1250 records, 43 full-text manuscripts were selected, comprising 8500 patients. Eleven and thirteen studies reported data for endophytic and hilar renal masses, respectively. Five and three studies reported outcomes for cT2–T3 and solitary kidney patients, respectively. Four studies focused on “re-do” RAPN for recurrent tumors. Two studies investigated simultaneous bilateral renal masses and five reports focused on multiple tumor excision in ipsilateral kidney. Over the past decade, evidence supporting the use of RAPN for the most challenging nephron-sparing surgery indications has continuously grown. Limitations remain, no randomized controlled trials have been including and most studies being retrospective. Nevertheless, the adoption of RAPN for these advanced indications is associated with favorable surgical outcomes with good preservation of renal function without compromising the oncological result. While a higher likelihood of complication might be expected, none of these indications should be considered per se an exclusion criterion for performing a RAPN. Technologies may play a significant role in the settings of complex renal masses. Ultimately, a risk-adapted approach should be implemented, also considering surgical expertise.