Robotic Kidney Surgery

Robotic kidney surgery is performed for a number of indications, both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous).

The most common indication for robotic kidney surgery is for removal of a renal cell carcinoma (kidney tumour).

For suitable patients, this can be a partial nephrectomy, with removal of the tumour only and preservation of the remaining healthy kidney. For larger tumours or tumours in an unsuitable location, the whole kidney may need to be removed (radical nephrectomy).

Sometimes tumours have advanced to involve the large adjacent veins (renal vein and inferior vena cava). In this situation open surgery is often required however select patients may be able to have this procedure performed with a robotic approach.

Robotic kidney surgery is sometimes performed for benign conditions. The most common of these is reconstruction for obstruction to the drainage outlet of the kidney (robotic pyeloplasty). Occasionally non-functioning kidneys need to be removed especially if there is recurrent infection causing symptoms (simple nephrectomy). Occasionally robotic surgery is used to treat large stones in the kidney particularly if they are in the renal pelvis (robotic pyelolithotomy).

At Sydney Urology Group we offer robotic surgery for men and women diagnosed with benign and malignant kidney conditions. Dr. Leslie and Dr. Mehan offer the latest robotic techniques at both public and private hospitals across Sydney.