Robotic nephrectomy for kidney cancer in Turkey utilizes the latest global technology. Learn about ideal candidates, benefits, and key procedure details.
Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers, and its incidence is increasing dramatically, increasing in the fifth and seventh decades, and affecting men in general more than women.
We provide you with information about the best and latest means of treating kidney cancer in Turkey, namely robotic surgery.
Robotic nephrectomy surgery for kidney cancer in Turkey
In order to perform open nephrectomy surgery (in medical parlance, radical kidney removal is called nephrectomy), the doctor makes a surgical incision for the patient that can be up to 35-40 centimeters long.
Especially during the removal of a large cancer, sometimes the 12th rib must be removed through the same incision.
This medical procedure will be followed by prolonged pain and numbness around the surgical site due to the damage done to the muscles and nerves during this large incision.
Besides, the recovery will be delayed. In addition, the likelihood of a post-operative hernia increases, which also causes discomfort affects the patient’s quality of life, and requires an operation to treat it.
After the USA and EU countries (Germany), laparoscopic kidney surgery is used as a standard surgical procedure in hospitals in Turkey as well.
However, thanks to the therapeutic technological advantages offered by the DaVinci Advanced Urology Robot, robotic surgery has emerged in the treatment of kidney cancer.
In terms of efficiency and effectiveness of the procedure, there is no significant difference between radical nephrectomy (the complete removal of the kidney) and other robotic or traditional laparoscopic surgery performed for kidney cancers. However, robotic nephrectomy aims to perform surgery to remove kidney cancers using a high-definition 3D vision system magnified 10 to 15 times and advanced robotic arms that eliminate any hand tremors and can move in many directions like a hand.
The main surgery in which the robotic surgical technique provides a special technical advantage is nephron-sparing surgery for kidney cancer, which is also called partial nephrectomy.
The tiny filtering systems in the kidneys are called nephrons, and each kidney contains approximately one million of them.
A surgical method in which only the cancerous tumor is removed, the nephron is spared and is therefore called nephron-sparing tumor resection.
What are the advantages of treating kidney cancer with robotic radical nephrectomy?
- Because the kidney is located behind the peritoneum, the procedure is performed in an extraperitoneal area, so there is no risk of injury to the intestines
- Short hospital stays and quick recovery for patients usually
- Less pain and less need for painkillers after surgery
- The ability to do daily routines in a short time
- Smaller incisions, better cosmetic results
- 3D vision, high-definition display
- as well as magnified imaging
- Surgery with robotic arms eliminates the tremors doctors may have
- The surgery is performed by inserting long robotic arms into the body capable of easily maneuvering in 7 directions and multiple angles, like hands
What is a robotic nephrectomy for kidney cancer?
Robotic nephrectomy for kidney cancer is particularly effective for tumors 4 centimeters or smaller, depending on their location. The goal is to remove only the cancerous tissue while preserving healthy kidney tissue. With recent advancements in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, we can now safely remove benign or cancerous masses up to 6-7 cm in size, maintaining the integrity of the remaining kidney.
In the last ten years, the surgical practices in laparoscopic technique have expanded dramatically: Previously, only resection surgeries were performed, in which unhealthy kidney tissue (cancer) is completely removed; now, more complex reconstructive surgeries (such as removal of kidney cancer only) are performed. The standard practice for localized kidney tumors that can be performed with an organ-sparing surgery technique (nephrectomy) is open partial nephrectomy.
Thanks to advancements in intracorporeal suturing and advanced laparoscopic vascular devices, robotic nephrectomy for kidney cancer has become easier, even for small tumors. Today, we can perform partial nephrectomy through just 3 or 4 small incisions (1.2 cm, 1.0 cm, and one or two 0.5 cm), preserving healthy tissue while removing only the cancerous part.
In the long and medium term of scientific follow-ups performed for cancer control and treatment, laparoscopy has been recognized as a technique that can be used safely and comfortably. However, nowadays, after learning about the advantages of the da Vinci robot system, nephrologists, bladder specialists, and surgeons have started utilizing these advantages to repair damaged tissues, vessels, and urinary tracts that occur after the cancerous part of the kidney is removed.
Thanks to advancements in intracorporeal suturing and advanced laparoscopic vascular devices, robotic nephrectomy for kidney cancer has become more accessible, even for partial nephrectomy in certain patients. Today, even with small tumors, we can perform kidney cancer surgery with just 3 or 4 small incisions (1.2 cm, 1.0 cm, and one or two 0.5 cm), preserving healthy tissue while removing only the cancerous part. During the procedure, the renal artery is clamped to prevent bleeding, and the kidneys can go 15-20 minutes without blood flow. This allows the surgeon to remove the cancerous tissue and repair the area with sutures, all while minimizing risk. Performing these steps requires extensive experience in laparoscopy and the use of robotics for optimal results.
Laparoscopic repair of kidney tissue that is heavily perfused during this period is a very difficult technique to master. However, thanks to this new technological assistance, an experienced urologist who performs a laparoscopic technique utilizing the technological advantages of the da Vinci system can easily overcome these challenges.
Here’s a list of modern technological advantages offered by the da Vinci System and why an experienced laparoscopic surgeon can overcome the challenges during the race against time during a partial nephrectomy:
- The da Vinci system is able to distinguish tumor tissue boundaries usually with the help of a three-dimensional (3D) viewing system rather than 2D laparoscopic images
- Thanks to advances in display and high-resolution 3D imaging technologies, tumors can be removed with a greater awareness of their depth and area
- Suturing is performed using robotic arms, which increase doctors’ control to be performed without jerking
- Using robotic arms with 540 degrees of articulation, the tumor of the resected area can be sutured quickly regardless of the location of the tumor, thanks to the depth perception provided by this system
Some indications for partial removal of kidney cancer:
- Simultaneous bilateral kidney cancer cases.
- Patients with a single kidney (only one kidney) were diagnosed with a renal tumor (unilateral renal agenesis or previous removal of the contralateral kidney).
- Having a tumor in the second kidney that is malfunctioning or not working.
- Having diseases that may pose a risk for future kidney dysfunction (for example, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases).
- Small tumors that tend to expand outward.
- Cancer starts at an early age.
- Family history of kidney cancer (genetic susceptibility).
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