Kidney Cancer can cause problems due to local destruction of the kidney or spread to distant sites in the body such as the lungs and bones.
Removal of cancerous tumors before this spread is very effective in preventing these problems.
Robotic Surgery has extended our ability to remove only the tumor, leaving the kidney behind.
Details of Robotic Partial Nephrectomy
The goals of partial nephrectomy are:
- to remove the tumor with a margin of health kidney to ensure no tumor cells were left behind
- to control blood vessels supplying the tumor
- to repair any entry into the urinary collecting system
- to allow for a quick recovery with minimal pain
The technical challenges involved in Partial Nephrectomy are:
- The kidney is deep within the abdomen, protected by the lower rib cage
- the kidneys are filters for the blood. This blood flow must be controlled during the removal of the tumor. Too long a period without blood flow can damage the kidney
- the kidney is surrounded by delicate organs. Large and small intestines, the liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, and major blood vessels surround the kidney
Robotic Surgery offers several advantages:
- Small incisions can replace a large open flank incision that cuts across three layers of muscle and often requires removal of a segment of rib.
- Small, dexterous robotic instruments with “wristed” motion can mimic the movements of the human hands inside the body. Motion scaling can make the surgeon’s movement more precise, and computer control can cancel minute tremors or irregularities of movement.
- Three dimensional imaging and excellent lighting provide excellent visualization of the kidney and tumor.
- The advantages of the robotic instruments allow for the safe removal of the tumor, with speed and precisely following the contour of the tumor.