Selecting the surgical approach in complex reoperative partial nephrectomies: Does robotics have a role?

Abstract

658 Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has shown equal oncologic efficacy as the open approach for treating small renal masses but results in improved perioperative parameters. Surgical principles also dictate that the open technique should be considered when facing difficult surgeries though this is experience and not evidenced based. The goal of our study is to explore differences in outcomes amongst open or robotic approaches in complex reoperative partial nephrectomies. Methods: 194 patients who had prior renal surgery from 2008 to 2019 were identified, the majority of which presented with multiple tumors due to known or suspected hereditary kidney cancer syndrome. Patients were stratified into the following cohorts based on surgical history: open after open surgery, open after MIS, robotic after open surgery, and robotic after MIS. Perioperative outcomes were compared amongst cohorts. Results: Significant differences were noted in estimated blood loss (EBL), number of tumors resected, and postoperative complications as assessed by Clavien score. Univariate regression analysis of EBL showed that the number of tumors resected (p <.0001, coefficient: 111 ml), number of prior renal procedures (p=.012, coefficient: 419 ml), hilar clamping (p = .015, coefficient: 840 ml), and intended surgical approach (p = .001; coefficient: 905 ml) were significant. On multivariate analysis, number of tumors resected (p<.0001, coefficient: 97 ml) was the only significant factor. Univariate analysis on post-operative complications showed that number of prior surgeries (p = 0.03, OR: 1.5) and final intended approach (p < .0001, OR: 4.6) were significant. On multivariate analysis, the final intended surgical approach (p = .001, OR: 4.3) was shown to be significant. Conclusions: These data show that the surgical approach of prior procedures is not a significant factor that affects perioperative outcomes, but the use of robotic surgery was associated with decreased post-operative complications in reoperative renal surgery . While open surgery will likely continue to be the standard of care for complex reoperative procedures, these data suggest that robotic surgery is safe and well tolerated in select cases.