Robotic Partial Nephrectomy
Small solid renal masses less than 4 cm can often be treated by removing only a small part of the kidney. Many studies have proven that the cure rates with a partial nephrectomy are similar to removing the whole kidney. Traditionally these operations were performed through a large incision.
Laparoscopy has been used to treat some of these masses when the location is on the outer part of the kidney. This operation involves temporarily stopping the blood supply to the kidney, removing the tumor, and suturing the kidney after the tumor is removed. It is feasible to perform these operations with the laparoscope, but it must be done quickly since the time the blood supply is kept from the kidney must be minimized.
Robotic Partial Nephrectomy can provide all the advantages of the minimally invasive procedure with improved accuracy in excising the tumor and provide a shorter time the kidney is not receiving blood.
Dr. Savatta performed the first robotic partial nephrectomy in New Jersey in May of 2005 with the assistance of Dr. Galdieri.