Hands-on Robotic Renal Surgery: Partial Nephrectomy & Pyeloplasty

Robotic partial nephrectomy can be technically challenging for surgeons without laparoscopic experience. There is a need for urologists to understand and be able to perform safe laparoscopic access, robotic docking, and safe technical performance of a partial nephrectomy. If done properly, cancer control is enhanced and surgical complications can be minimized while enhancing the utilization of nephron sparing surgery.

This course will include a didactic session reviewing the extraperitoneal and transperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy port position, access, vascular control, fluorescent imaging, tumor excision and renal suturing and repair techniques. Trainees will then perform a robotic partial nephrectomy in an animate model.

Robotic dismembered pyeloplasty is one of the best treatments for well selected patients with UPJ obstruction. The quality, speed and precision of laparoscopic suturing is greatly enhanced by the robotic technology. Trainees will receive training in the set-up and execution of dismembered pyeloplasty. They will have an opportunity to practice those skills in the robotic simulator, didactic inanimate trainer and in the live animal model. New technology including the robotic firefly fluorescent imaging, robotic suction irrigator, energy devices, stapler and robotic bulldogs will be available for trainees to gain familiarity.