The role of laparoscopy and robotic surgery in the management of small renal masses.
Increased utilization of cross-sectional abdominal imaging has led to a significant increase in the incidence of small renal masses. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that these lesions have a low malignant potential, thus supporting surveillance as a therapeutic option, particularly in the elderly population. Over the last decade, there has been an explosion of minimally invasive techniques for managing these lesions, including laparoscopic nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation and, more recently, robotic-assisted surgery. The aim of this article is to review recent literature and assess the role of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery in the management of small renal masses.
Department of Urology, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK. david.hrouda@imperial.nhs.uk
David
D
Hrouda
Andrew
A
Lienert
D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*