Robot assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy

Purpose: The feasibility and safely of remote laparoscopic surgery using a surgical telemanipulator have been demonstrated in laboratory experience an d recently in clinical practice. To our knowledge we report the brst robot assisted, laparoscopic nephrectomy in a human. Materials and Methods: A 77-year-old woman was diagnosed with a nonfunction ing hydronephrotic right kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robot assisted, transperitoneal right laparoscopic nephrectomy was performe d. Results: Complete dissection was successfully performed with the robot. The renal pedicle was dissected without any problem, and the artery and vein w ere individually ligated. Operative time was 200 minutes, anesthesia time w as 245 minutes and blood loss was less than 100 ml. Convalescence was uneve ntful. Histological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. Conclusions: We report the technical feasibility of robot assisted laparosc opic nephrectomy in humans. Current technology needs further improvement an d its actual usefulness for patient treatment must be established by large clinical trials. Technological improvements and future telecommunication ne tworks should open new avenues in surgery, namely remote telesurgery.