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Robotic Kidney Surgery
ABOUT
Robotic Kidney Surgery
How robotic kidney surgery works: Kidney surgery is traditionally performed as an open surgery, which requires a large incision and possibly
removal of a rib, which causes greater pain. Another approach, conventional laparoscopy, is less invasive, but limits the
surgeon’s dexterity, visualization and control compared to open surgery. When performing a robotic kidney surgery, the
surgeon sits at a console and controls the movements of miniature instruments and a tiny camera on the end of robotic arms
inserted through several small incisions in the body. The robot cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its
own. It is under the complete control of the surgeon at all times.
Precision:
The movement of the surgeon’s hands is translated into precise movements of the miniature instruments within the patient.
The precision and dexterity of the robotic instruments make it an ideal system for kidney surgery, which requires great surgical
skill for complex steps of tumor resection and kidney reconstruction. Robotic assistance may allow patients with kidney
tumors to receive a minimally invasive and kidney-sparing surgery who might otherwise require open surgery or total nephrectomy.
3-dimensional optics: Standard laparoscopic surgery uses one single camera and limits a surgeon’s vision to a 2-D view similar to
watching your television. The robotic camera consists of two high resolution fiber optic camera which, like your eyes,
produce a true 3-dimensional color picture available to the surgeon. Magnification of up to 12X can be achieved with
these cameras, whose position is precisely controlled using a central robotic arm. Robotic
surgery for kidney diseases is available from the world’s leaders in robotic surgery at Piedmont Hospital.
Dr. Laungani routinely performs this specialized and complicated operation, utilizing advanced robotic surgical technology
to provide a minimally-invasive surgical approach with greater surgical precision.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery Minimally-invasive kidney surgery offers
many potential benefits to the patient, including:
•Faster return of bowel function after surgery
•Reduced hospital stay (one day in healthy patients)
•Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
•Quicker return to normal activity and work
•Smaller incisions, less scarring, and faster healing
Types of Procedures Performed
Kidney surgeries performed with the daVinci Surgical System include partial nephrectomy, nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy,
pyeloplasty, pyelolithotomy, adrenalectomy, and renal cyst decortication:
1. •Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the kidney
tumor while preserving the normal and unaffected portion of the kidney, thus preventing the loss of the entire kidney. The
kidney tumor must be cut out precisely to ensure complete removal. The area of the kidney that has been cut out must
be closed with complex surgical techniques. Robotic assistance can allow the surgeon to perform these complex steps with greater
ease and precision. Robotic partial nephrectomy can provide a minimally invasive, kidney sparing option for kidney tumors,
avoiding the potential need for a total nephrectomy or open surgery An advantage of removing only the tumor from the kidney
instead of removing the entire kidney is that the patient will have more normal kidney remaining, with a lower chance of long
term kidney failure, dialysis, or other medical problems.
2. •Robotic Radical Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the entire
kidney for large tumors or disease involving the entire kidney.
3. •Robotic Nephroureterectomy:
Removal of the kidney and ureter for transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.
4.
•Robotic
Pyeloplasty: Repair of a blockage in the area where the ureter attaches to the kidney.
5. •Robotic Pyelolithotomy: Removal of large kidney stones that fail treatment
by other methods
6. •Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication: Removal of kidney cysts
that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure
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