Retrospective comparison of clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy through transabdominal or retroperitoneal approaches in patients with T1b renal tumor

BACKGROUND: We compared the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) via transabdominal or retroperitoneal approaches in patients with stage T1b renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: The medical records for 92 patients who underwent RALPN were retrospectively collected and data on their baseline demographics, duration of operation, duration of renal artery clamping, intraoperative blood loss, recovery time of intestinal functions, surgical margin positive rate, as well as postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 92 enrolled patients, 43 and 49 patients were subjected to RALPN via the transabdominal and retroperitoneal approaches, respectively. All patients successfully completed the operation. Baseline characteristics for the transabdominal and retroperitoneal groups were comparable. Differences in operative time, renal artery clamping time, intraoperative blood loss, positive rate of surgical margin, and incidences of postoperative complications between the two approaches were insignificant. The recovery time of intestinal function after operation was significantly shorter in patients subjected to the retroperitoneal approach, relative to those subjected to transabdominal approach (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Application of RALPN via transabdominal or retroperitoneal approaches showed comparable clinical outcomes in patients with stage T1b renal cell carcinoma. The retroperitoneal approach was superior to the transabdominal approach in terms of postoperative intestinal function recovery.