Robotic-assisted versus traditional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: comparison of outcomes and evaluation of learning curve.

Objectives: To examine the transition to robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) from pure laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and investigate the learning curve (LC). RALPN has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to nephron-sparing surgery.

Methods: A total of 150 consecutive patients were identified who underwent LPN or RALPN in the initial experience of a single surgeon since 2006. The perioperative data were evaluated using appropriate comparative tests. The LC was investigated by examining the operative times, warm ischemia times (WITs), and estimated blood loss (EBL) in groups of 25 consecutive patients. To account for laparoscopic LC, the outcomes of patients who underwent surgery in 2009 or later were also compared.

Results: Of the 150 patients, 102 and 48 underwent LPN and RALPN, respectively. The patient and tumor characteristics were similar. The mean operative time (193 vs 152 minutes, P < .001), WIT (18.0 vs 14.0, P < .001), and EBL (245 vs 122 mL, P = .001) favored RALPN. Improvements in the operative time (P = .01), WIT (P = .006), and EBL (P = .01) were noted as experience increased in the LPN cohort and was most pronounced after the first 25 LPN patients. Since 2009, 55 and 44 patients underwent LPN and RALPN, respectively. Although the absolute differences were less, the operative time (182 vs 150, P < .001), WIT (15.3 vs 13.3, P < .001), and EBL (206 vs 118, P = .005) favored RALPN.

Conclusions: RALPN appears to have shorter operative and ischemia times and less blood loss compared with LPN. After a LC of approximately 25 cases, the transition from LPN to RALPN can be undertaken without an additional LC and can be associated with immediate benefits.