Intuitive, a medical devices company specialising in minimally invasive care and robotic-assisted surgery today announced the findings of India’s largest collaborative and multi-institutional study on robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) using the da Vinci surgical system. In collaboration with 14 government and private centres across India, the study supports the use of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in surgery for renal masses. This retrospective study utilised data from 800 patient cases spanning the last 12 years.
The aim of this study was to validate the value and benefits of using the da Vinci surgical system in RAPN in India, providing comprehensive insights into the procedure’s efficacy and safety across diverse patient demographics and tumour complexities.
Key findings from the study include:
Perioperative Outcomes: RAPN using da Vinci demonstrated favourable perioperative outcomes, with a median operative time of 180 minutes and a median estimated blood loss of 100 ml. The mean warm ischemia time (WIT) was 22.7 minutes, with a low conversion rate to open surgery (0.4 per cent) and a manageable complication rate where the majority of complications were minor grade.
Functional Outcomes: RAPN using da Vinci showed promising functional outcomes, with mean serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels stabilising postoperatively. Trifecta and pentafecta outcomes were achieved in 61.4 per cent and 60 per cent of patients, respectively, highlighting the procedure’s efficacy in preserving renal function.
Comparative Analysis: The study compared favourably with international benchmarks, demonstrating comparable outcomes to previous multicentric analysis while reflecting the real-world scenario with centres of varying volumes and surgeon expertise.
The results presented in this study demonstrate strong support for an advanced technology, RAPN, establishing its safety and efficacy. This study showcases and reinforces the value and benefits of RAPN to the healthcare community at large.