Expanding the Indications of Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Highly Complex Renal Tumors: Urologists' Perception of the Impact of Hyperaccuracy Three-Dimensional Reconstruction

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the role of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in aiding preoperative planning for highly complex renal tumors amenable to robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN).

Materials and methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans and respective 3D reconstructions of 20 highly complex renal tumors were displayed to the attendees/urologists of the 6th Techno-Urology Meeting ( www.technourologymeeting.com ). These 20 cases had already undergone RPN performed by a single experienced surgeon. The attendees were asked to watch the videos of the CT scans first, and then the respective 3D reconstructions of 5 of the 20 cases who were randomly selected. A purpose-built questionnaire collected responders' surgical experience and surgical indication (RPN versus nephrectomy) after viewing the CT scan and the respective 3D reconstructions.

Results: Twenty expert urologists, 27 young urologists, and 61 residents (total = 108) participated in the study. Five hundred forty-two views of the cases were obtained. Based on CT scans, RPN was indicated in 256 cases (47.2%). After viewing the respective 3D reconstructions, in 148 cases the responders changed their idea: indication to RPN raised in 404 cases (74.5%) (P < .001). The opinions changed regardless of the surgical experience.

Conclusions: The findings of this study are encouraging, and they might represent a significant step toward the validation of the use of 3D reconstruction for surgical planning in patients undergoing robotic kidney surgery. The use of this technology might translate into a larger adoption of nephron-sparing approach. Further investigation in this area is warranted to corroborate these findings.

Keywords: 3D; navigation; partial nephrectomy; reconstruction; renal neoplasm; robot.