Background: To report our experience with retroperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic upper pole heminephrectomy in adult patients with duplex kidneys. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 7 patients who underwent retroperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic upper pole heminephrectomy at our institution between September 2014 and July 2017. Of the robot-assisted laparoscopic procedures, 5 were on the left and 2 on the right side. Results: All patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery successfully in a totally retroperitoneal manner without conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 175 mins (range 140-270). The mean estimated blood loss was 84 mL (range 20-200). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (range 5-9). No major intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. All patients had a resolution of their presenting symptoms after surgery at a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 14-38). Conclusion: Our initial clinical experience suggests that robot-assisted laparoscopic upper pole heminephrectomy using a retroperitoneal approach for a duplex kidney appears to be safe with acceptable perioperative outcomes.
Keywords: duplex kidney; heminephrectomy; laparoscopy; robotic.