Redo Partial Nephrectomy for Local Recurrence After Previous Nephron-sparing Surgery. Surgical Insights and Oncologic Results from a High-volume Robotic Center

BACKGROUND: The role of redo partial nephrectomy (PN) for recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still overlooked. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of salvage PN for local recurrence after previous nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We prospectively gathered data from patients treated with robotic redo PN for locally recurrent RCC after previous NSS from January 2017 to January 2023. The type of surgical resection technique was assigned to the pathologic specimen according to the surface-intermediate-base (SIB) score. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: Redo PN was performed by using the Si Da Vinci robotic platform. MEASUREMENTS: Operative time, warm ischemia time, and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. The severity of postoperative complications and tumor stage were evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 26 patients entered the study. The median clinical diameter was 3.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.2–4.9) cm and the median Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score was 8 (IQR 7–9). In 14 (53.8%) cases, recurrence was at the level of previous tumor resection bed. The median operative time was 177 (IQR 148–200) min, and hilar clamping was performed in 14 (53.8%) cases with a median warm ischemia time of 16 (14.5–22) min. Pure enucleation (SIB score 0–1), hybrid enucleation (SIB score 2), and pure enucleoresection (SIB score 3) were recorded in 13 (50%), eight (30.8%), and five (19.2%) cases, respectively. The totality of recurrent RCC far from previous tumor resection bed received a SIB score of 0–1, while in 57.1% and 35.8% of recurrent RCC on previous tumor resection a hybrid enucleation and a pure enucleoresection were performed, respectively. At a median follow-up of 37 (IQR 16–45) mo, five (19%) patients experienced disease recurrence, being local and systemic in three (11.5%) and two (7.7%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the feasibility and safety of redo PN for the treatment of locally recurrent RCCs after NSS, either on previous tumor resection bed or elsewhere in the kidney. PATIENT SUMMARY: Robotic redo partial nephrectomy is a challenging procedure. The surgeon needs to tailor the surgical strategy and tumor resection technique case by case, given the heterogeneity of clinical scenarios and the need to achieve maximal functional preservation while ensuring oncologic efficacy.