title: Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Current review of the technique and literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To visit the operative technique and to review the current published English literature on the technique, and outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RPN).
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the published English literature and the PubMed(()) for published series of 'robotic partial nephrectomy' (RPN) using the keywords; robot, robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search yielded 15 major selected series of 'robotic partial nephrectomy'; these were reviewed, tracked and analysed in order to determine the current status and role of RPN in the management of early renal neoplasm(s), as a minimally invasive surgical alternative to open partial nephrectomy. A review of the initial peri-operative outcome of the 350 cases of select series of RPN reported in published English literature revealed a mean operating time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss and hospital stay, of 191 minutes, 25 minutes, 162 ml and 2.95 days, respectively. The overall computed mean complication rate of RPN in the present select series was about 7.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RPN is a safe, feasible and effective minimally invasive surgical alternative to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for early stage (T(1)) renal neoplasm(s). It has acceptable initial renal functional outcomes without the increased risk of major complications in experienced hands. Prospective randomised, controlled, comparative clinical trials with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) are the need of the day. While the initial oncological outcomes of RPN appear to be favourable, long-term data is awaited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Wake Forest University Medical School and Baptist Medical Centre, Medical Centre Boulevard, Winston Salem - 27157, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Iqbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singh
references.citation: J Endourol. 2008 May;22(5):947-52
references.pmid: 18397157
references.citation: J Endourol. 1993 Dec;7(6):521-6
references.pmid: 8124349
references.citation: Eur Urol. 2009 May;55(5):1163-9
references.pmid: 19185415
references.citation: J Endourol. 2008 Dec;22(12):2657-9
references.pmid: 19025387
references.citation: BJU Int. 2008 Jul;102(1):86-92
references.pmid: 18336600
references.citation: Urology. 2009 Oct;74(4):735-40
references.pmid: 19616827
references.citation: BJU Int. 2005 Mar;95 Suppl 2:35-40
references.pmid: 15720333
references.citation: BJU Int. 2007 Oct;100(4):967-70
references.pmid: 17822478
references.citation: J Urol. 2000 Mar;163(3):730-6
references.pmid: 10687966
references.citation: J Endourol. 2008 Nov;22(11):2485-93
references.pmid: 18928387
references.citation: Eur Urol. 2007 Jan;51(1):186-91; discussion 191-2
references.pmid: 16822607
references.citation: J Endourol. 2009 Jan;23(1):115-21
references.pmid: 19178173
references.citation: J Urol. 2006 Jul;176(1):36-9
references.pmid: 16753361
references.citation: J Urol. 2008 Dec;180(6):2353-6; discussion 2356
references.pmid: 18930263
references.citation: J Endourol. 2008 Aug;22(8):1677-80
references.pmid: 18721046
references.citation: J Endourol. 2005 May;19(4):441-5; discussion 445
references.pmid: 15910252
references.citation: J Urol. 2004 Dec;172(6 Pt 1):2287-91
references.pmid: 15538250
references.citation: Eur Urol. 2008 Mar;53(3):514-21
references.pmid: 17961910
references.citation: Urology. 2009 Feb;73(2):302-5
references.pmid: 19038432
references.citation: BJU Int. 2007 Aug;100(2):375-8
references.pmid: 17617142
references.citation: BJU Int. 2009 Mar;103(5):663-8
references.pmid: 18990172
references.citation: Am J Nephrol. 2008;28(3):438-45
references.pmid: 18097136
references.citation: Urology. 2007 Jan;69(1):44-8
references.pmid: 17270611
references.citation: J Urol. 2009 Feb;181(2):823-8; discussion 828-9
references.pmid: 19110277
references.citation: J Urol. 1994 Nov;152(5 Pt 1):1539-42
references.pmid: 7933195
references.citation: Urology. 2009 Feb;73(2):306-10
references.pmid: 19038419
references.citation: J Urol. 2009 Sep;182(3):866-72
references.pmid: 19616229
references.citation: Urology. 2000 Jul;56(1):58-62
references.pmid: 10869624
references.citation: Curr Opin Urol. 2006 Sep;16(5):327-31
references.pmid: 16905976
references.citation: Urology. 2004 Nov;64(5):914-8
references.pmid: 15533477
references.citation: JSLS. 2006 Jul-Sep;10(3):302-6
references.pmid: 17212884
references.citation: J Endourol. 2009 Sep;23(9):1491-7
references.pmid: 19694519
references.citation: J Robot Surg. 2008 Sep;2(3):141-3
references.pmid: 27628250