Robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery: partial nephrectomy for renal malignancy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience with robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) to perform partial nephrectomy and evaluate a hybrid homemade port system as an effective access technique.


METHODS
From December 2008 to September 2009, robot-assisted LESS to perform partial nephrectomy through a hybrid homemade port was performed to treat 14 cases of renal cell carcinoma. The data, including patient characteristics, operative records, complications, and pathologic results, were analyzed.


RESULTS
The mean tumor size was 3.2 cm, the mean ischemic time was 30 minutes, and the mean operative time was 233 minutes. We used the hybrid homemade port technique in 10 cases. All surgical margins after partial nephrectomy were negative for malignancy. No port-related complications were reported. Two cases required conversion to mini-incisional partial nephrectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Robot-assisted LESS for performing partial nephrectomy using a hybrid homemade port system is a safe and feasible treatment technique. It provided access for meticulous suturing on the renal parenchyma using articulating robot arms and ready access to the surgical field for the assistant.
Department of Urology, Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Woong Kyu
WK
Han
Dong Suk
DS
Kim
Hwang Gyun
HG
Jeon
Wooju
W
Jeong
Cheol Kyu
CK
Oh
Kyung Hwa
KH
Choi
Enrique Ian S
EI
Lorenzo
Koon Ho
KH
Rha
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*