Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for moderate to highly complex renal masses. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gopal Sharma; Aditya Prakash Sharma; Shantanu Tyagi; Girdhar Singh Bora; Ravimohan Suryanarayan Mavuduru; Sudheer Kumar Devana; Shrawan Kumar Singh

doi:10.4103/iju.iju_393_21



REVIEW ARTICLE

Year : 2022 \| Volume : 38 \| Issue : 3 \| Page : 174-183

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for moderate to highly complex renal masses. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gopal Sharma, Aditya Prakash Sharma, Shantanu Tyagi, Girdhar Singh Bora, Ravimohan Suryanarayan Mavuduru, Sudheer Kumar Devana, Shrawan Kumar Singh
Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Date of Submission	10-Oct-2021
Date of Decision	26-Jan-2022
Date of Acceptance	04-May-2022
Date of Web Publication	1-Jul-2022

Correspondence Address:
Ravimohan Suryanarayan Mavuduru
Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/iju.iju_393_21

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple studies have been published recently assessing feasibility of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for moderate to highly complex renal masses. Some studies have even compared partial nephrectomy (PN) performed through various modalities such as open PN (OPN) versus RAPN and laparoscopic PN (LPN) versus OPN. The primary aim of this review was to analyze perioperative outcomes such as warm ischemia time (WIT), duration of surgery, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, blood transfusion, length of stay, and margin status following RAPN for complex renal masses. Another objective was to compare perioperative outcomes following various surgical modalities, i.e., OPN, LPN, or RAPN.
Methods: Literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting perioperative outcomes following RAPN for moderate (Radius, Endophytic/Exophytic, Nearness, Anterior/posterior location [RENAL] score 7–9 or Preoperative Aspects of Dimension used for anatomic classification [PADUA] score 8–9) to high complexity renal masses (RENAL or PADUA score ≥ 10). Meta-analysis of robotic versus OPN and robotic versus LPN was also performed. Study protocol was registered with PROPSERO (CRD42019121259).
Results: In this review, 22 studies including 2,659 patients were included. Mean duration of surgery, WIT, and EBL was 132.5–250.8 min, 15.5–30 min, and 100–321 ml, respectively. From pooled analysis, positive surgical margin, need for blood transfusion, minor and major complications were seen in 3.9%, 5.2%, 19.3%, and 6.3% of the patients. No significant difference was noted between RAPN and LPN for any of the perioperative outcomes. Compared to OPN, RAPN had significantly lower EBL, complications rate, and need for transfusion.
Conclusions: RAPN for moderate to high complexity renal masses is associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes. LPN and RAPN were equal in terms of perioperative outcomes for complex masses whereas, OPN had significantly higher blood loss, complications rate, and need for transfusion as compared to RAPN.

How to cite this article:
Sharma G, Sharma AP, Tyagi S, Bora GS, Mavuduru RS, Devana SK, Singh SK. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for moderate to highly complex renal masses. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian J Urol 2022;38:174-83

How to cite this URL:
Sharma G, Sharma AP, Tyagi S, Bora GS, Mavuduru RS, Devana SK, Singh SK. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for moderate to highly complex renal masses. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian J Urol [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 Mar 21];38:174-83. Available from: https://www.indianjurol.com/text.asp?2022/38/3/174/349692

Introduction

Partial nephrectomy (PN) for small renal masses (T_1a) is a well-established surgical treatment option. It is also favored over radical nephrectomy (RN) whenever feasible for T_1b renal masses.^[1] The current enthusiasm for PN has stemmed from demonstration of superior renal functional parameters without the compromise of surgical and oncological outcomes compared to RN.^[2] With the advent of the robotic platform, with its numerous advantages such as ergonomically sound suturing due to wristed instruments, three-dimensional (3D) vision, and filtered hand movements, has made minimally invasive PN a feasible option even for highly complex renal masses.^[3] There have been multiple studies describing the use of robot-assisted PN (RAPN) for complex renal masses. These studies have used various tumor-related factors to define complexity such as size,^[4] endophytic nature,^[5] multiple,^[6] and hilar^[7] location of the renal masses. To stratify patients into different complexity groups, various scoring methods have been introduced of which Radius, Endophytic/Exophytic, Nearness, Anterior/posterior location (RENAL), and preoperative aspects of dimension used for anatomic classification (PADUA) nephrometery scores are most frequently used.^[8],[9] Both of these scores have been correlated well with perioperative outcomes following PN. Experience regarding the management of complex renal masses (as defined by PADUA or RENAL score ≥7) with RAPN has been limited to various single or multicenter case series. As more and more data is emerging, it is worthwhile to critically analyze the perioperative outcomes for RAPN in patients with complex renal masses. In the present study, we performed a systematic literature review to identify studies reporting perioperative outcomes following RAPN for patients with complex renal masses. We performed pooled analysis of various perioperative outcomes such as warm ischemia time (WIT), duration of surgery, blood loss, complications, blood transfusion, length of stay (LOS), and margin status following RAPN for complex renal masses. Comparison of RAPN to laparoscopic PN (LPN) and open PN (OPN) was also performed for various perioperative outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of its kind dealing with complex renal masses in RAPN.

Data acquisition

Study design

Systematic literature search was performed to identify all the relevant publications assessing the perioperative outcomes following RAPN for high complexity renal masses (RENAL or PADUA score ≥ 7). We also performed meta-analysis of RAPN versus OPN and RAPN versus LPN. A pre-specified study protocol was registered with PROPSERO (CRD42019121259) (Preferred reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines were followed while conducting this review.^[10]

Search strategy

Two review authors (GS and ST) independently conducted the systematic literature search for relevant papers on electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science from their time of inception till the last search. Literature search was limited to English language only. We also performed hand searches of bibliography of articles selected for full review. Additional articles were sought from latest journal articles and conference papers. Last search was conducted on January 9, 2020.

(Patient/population/problem, Intervention, Control, and outcome) model was used to design search strategy:

Patient

Renal mass odds ratio (OR) kidney mass OR renal cell carcinoma OR renal cancer OR kidney cancer OR renal carcinoma OR renal tumor.

Intervention

High PADUA score OR high nephrometery score OR high RENAL score OR high RENAL nephrometery score OR complex OR hilar.

Control

Robot-assisted PN OR robotic PN OR robot-assisted nephron-sparing surgery OR robotic nephron-sparing surgery OR robot-assisted LPN OR robot-assisted laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery.

Outcome

WIT OR complication OR margin OR trifecta.

Using combinations of above-mentioned keywords, all the electronic databases were then searched. Titles and abstracts of all thus generated articles were then screened for inclusion into the study by the two reviewers (GS and ST). In case of any discrepancy, help of other authors was sought (RSM, GSB). Search strategy used for PubMed has been provided in the [Supplementary file S1].

Selection criteria

To assess the eligibility of a study for inclusion in this review, initial title followed by abstract screening was performed and if required full-text review was performed by two review authors independently (GS and ST). For inclusion into the review, study should contain data regarding perioperative outcomes such as duration of surgery, WIT, surgical complications, estimated blood loss (EBL), need for blood transfusions LOS, and positive surgical margin in patients with moderate to high complexity renal tumors undergoing RAPN. Studies containing data on low or mixed complexity tumors, not reporting any of the above-mentioned perioperative outcomes, reviews, case reports, and conference abstracts were excluded. In case of discrepancy over inclusion/exclusion of a study, help of other review authors was sought (RSM and GSB) and final decision was reached after reaching consensus.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes

In this review, we planned to study perioperative outcomes such as duration of surgery, EBL, number of transfusions, LOS, positive surgical margins, surgical complications, and WIT. Meta-analysis of studies comparing these factors following RAPN, LPN, and OPN was also performed.

Quality assessment

This meta-analysis included retrospective case series and comparative cohort studies. For quality assessment of case series, we used institute of health economics (IHE) checklist for quality appraisal. This checklist consists of 20 items that assess study quality by assessing study objective, design, population, interventions, outcome measures used, statistical analysis, results, conclusions, competing interests, and sources of support. A study with ≥70% yes response is considered to be of good quality. For nonrandomized comparative cohort studies, we used Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS). Using this scale, quality assessment of nonrandomized studies is done based upon selection and comparability of study groups and ascertainment of primary outcome in the two groups. A study can be awarded maximum of 9 stars; studies with >5 stars are considered to be of good quality.

Quality assessment was performed by two review authors (GS and ST) independently, thereafter, data were compared and any discrepancy was sorted out by arbitration with other review authors (RSM and GSB).

Data extraction and statistical analysis

Two review authors (GS and ST) independently performed full-text review of all the included articles to extract relevant data using a predefined template [Table 1]. Data were then cross-checked for consistency and in case of discrepancy, data were rechecked and help of other authors was sought when required (RSM and GSB). All the relevant data pertaining to the study were entered into a personal computer on Microsoft excel sheet. Quantitative meta-analysis of perioperative variables was done for studies comparing laparoscopic and open techniques with robotic techniques. For rest of the studies, narrative synthesis of data along with pooled analysis was done. Separate pooled analysis was conducted for the studies reporting data on high nephrometery score (RENAL or PADUA score ≥10).

Table 1: Characteristics of the studies included in the review

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Mean was estimated from the median and range using the formula reported by Hozo et al.^[11] Statistical heterogeneity was tested using Chi-square and I². A P < 0.10 was used to indicate heterogeneity and in the absence of statistical heterogeneity, the fixed-effects model (Mantel-Haenszel method) was used. In the presence of statistically significant heterogeneity, random effects model was used. A P < 0.05 indicates statistical significance. Statistical analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration review manager software RevMan 5.2^TM.

Evidence synthesis

Search strategy and selection

Systematic literature search of Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase databases yielded a total of 1,519 articles, of which 625 duplicate citations were removed. Rest of the 894 articles underwent title and abstract screening for possible inclusion into the study. After abstract and title screening, 861 articles were excluded and remaining 33 articles underwent full-text review. After full-text review, 11 articles were excluded due to lack of individualized data on perioperative outcomes for complex renal masses, for final analysis 22 studies were included^{[12],[13],[14],[15],[16],[17],[18],[19],[20],[21],[22],[23],[24],[25],[26],[27],[28],[29],[30],[31],[32],[33]}. Out of these 22 studies, 11 studies were included for quantitative data synthesis and all the 22 studies were included for narrative and pooled analysis [Figure 1].

Figure 1: Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis flow-chart depicting search strategy used for this review

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Study characteristics

In this review, 22 studies including 2659 patients with complex renal masses who underwent RAPN were included. Of these 22 studies, 21 were retrospective (including retrospective review of prospectively maintained data) and one was a prospective study. RENAL score for defining the complexity of renal mass was used by 17 studies, 4 studies used PADUA score, and 1 study used both of these. Most of these studies were single-center retrospective case series describing their experience of managing patients with high nephrometery scores. Twelve out of these 22 studies separately reported data for highly complex renal masses, i.e., RENAL and PADUA score ≥10. Median duration of follow-up for RAPN ranged from 4 to 49 months. Complications in these studies were defined according to Clavien-Dindo classification.^[34] Minor complications were defined as Grades I and II complications whereas major complications as Grades III and IV. Out of 11 studies used in meta-analysis, 5 studies compared LPN and RAPN and 6 studies compared OPN and RAPN [Table 2].

Table 2: Comparison of robotic partial nephrectomy with open and laparoscopic for various clinical variables

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Quality assessment

Quality assessment for 11 studies was done using IHE case series quality appraisal tool and for rest of the studies using NOS for cohort studies. Overall quality assessment of all of these studies was satisfactory as all the case series obtained score of 14 or more on IHE scale and all the comparative studies obtained 6 or more stars on NOS [Table 1].

Pooled analysis

Pooled analysis of perioperative outcomes for patients with moderate to high complex renal lesions was performed. Mean duration of surgery, WIT, and EBL were 132.5–250.8 min, 15.5–30 min, and 100-321 ml, respectively. Eighty-one patients (3.9%) had positive surgical margin and blood transfusion was required in 5.2% of the patients. Mean duration of LOS ranged between 1 and 7.8 days. According to Clavien-Dindo classification,^[34] minor complications (Grade I and II) were seen in 19.3% of patients whereas major complications were seen in 6.3% of the patients [Table 3].

Table 3: Baseline and perioperative outcomes in studies included in the review

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High complexity renal masses

Subgroup analysis of patients with high complexity (RENAL and PADUA score ≥10) renal masses was also performed. In this subgroup, duration of surgery, WIT, EBL, and LOS were 132.5–214.6 min, 15.5–36.1 min, 200–456.2 ml, and 1–7.7 days, respectively. Minor and major complications were seen in 16.2% and 6.2% of the patients, respectively. Pooled margin positivity rate was 5.2% and need for blood transfusion was seen in 3.5% of patients.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy versus robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

Five nonrandomized studies including 969 patients compared robotic and LPN. There was no statistically significant difference in the two groups for any of the perioperative outcome, i.e., duration of surgery (mean difference [MD] ‒11.74 95% confidence interval [CI] [‒38.17,14.69], P = 0.38), EBL (MD ‒16.98 95% CI [‒52.03, 18.08], P = 0.34), need for blood transfusions (OR 0.77 95% CI [0.50, 1.19], P = 0.24), LOS (MD ‒0.36 95% CI [‒1.04, 0.32], P = 0.30), positive surgical margins (OR 0.89 95% CI [0.35, 2.27], P = 0.81), major (OR 1.14 95% CI [0.65, 1.99], P = 0.65) or minor (OR 0.98 95% CI [0.65, 1.46], P = 0.91) surgical complications, and WIT (MD ‒1.04 95% CI [‒2.49, 0.42], P = 0.16) [Table 2].

Open partial nephrectomy versus robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

Six nonrandomized studies including 1373 patients compared perioperative outcomes for OPN and RAPN. Study by Simhan et al.^[26] contained separate data for moderately and highly complex lesion so they were grouped separately for the meta-analysis. Due to high heterogeneity, random effect model was used for comparison of duration of surgery, WIT, and EBL. There was no significant difference in the two groups for duration of surgery (MD 3.37 95% CI [‒2.87, 9.61], P = 0.29) and WIT (MD ‒1.78 95% CI [‒7.44, 3.88], P = 0.54) but EBL (MD ‒82.4 95% CI [‒133.8, ‒30.9], P = 0.002) and LOS (MD ‒1.71 95% CI [‒2.02, ‒1.40], P < 0.00001) were significantly lower for RAPN. Need for blood transfusion (OR 0.33 95% CI [0.14, 0.81], P = 0.02), complication rates (Major Complications OR 0.65, P = 0.02; minor complications OR 0.58 P = 0.0004) were significantly higher with OPN, whereas incidence of positive surgical margin (OR 0.65 95% CI [0.36,1.19], P = 0.16) was similar in the two groups [Table 2].

Discussion

Robotic assistance has revolutionized the practice of PN to include highly complex renal masses, however, the data regarding the same are still not robust. In this study, we performed pooled analysis of various perioperative outcomes following RAPN in patients with complex renal masses and also compared RAPN to other surgical techniques, i.e., LPN and OPN. The studies included in this review are of good quality but all were nonrandomized case series which have inherent limitations.

In this study, the duration of surgery (132.5–250.8 min), WIT (15.5–30 min), and EBL (100–321 ml) showed a wide variation. In the subgroup analysis of high complexity renal masses (RENAL and PADUA score ≥10), similar results were noted with mean duration of surgery, WIT, blood loss, and hospital stay being 132.5–214.6 min, 15.5–36.1 min, 200–456.2 ml, respectively. In previously reported series of RAPN including mixed complexity data, mean WIT reported were 18.8 min, 15.7 min, and 20 min by Tanagho et al.,^[35] Peyronnet et al.^[36] and Laydner et al.,^[37] respectively. On observing WIT data from our [Table 3] and [Table 4], mean WIT for most of the studies appears to be higher than previously reported studies of RAPN with mixed complexity tumors. Thompson et al.^[38] in their study of 362 solitary functioning kidneys who underwent OPN or LPN reported that a WIT of more than 25 min was associated with higher rates of acute renal failure (ARF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <15 ml/min/1.73 m², and new onset stage IV chronic kidney disease. They also reported that every minute increase in WIT raised the odds of developing ARF and GFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m² by 5% and 6%, respectively. Most of the studies in this review [16/22, [Table 3]] had WIT <25 min. Furthermore, in highly complex renal masses (RNS >10), the WIT was <25 min for 7 out of 12 studies [Table 4]. Thus, WIT, despite being on slightly higher side, still falls into the acceptable range of <25 min for most of the studies included in this review. Mean duration of surgery in previous RAPN series was 183.6 min and 153 min by Tanagho et al.^[35] and Peyronnet et al.,^[36] respectively, which appears lower than the duration of surgery reported from most of the studies in this review [Table 3] and [Table 4]. Mean EBL as reported by Laydner et al.^[37] Tanagho et al.,^[35] and Peyronnet et al.^[36] were 182 ml, 191 ml, and 275 ml, respectively, whereas blood loss reported in the series by Gill et al.^[39] in LPN and OPN were 300 ml and 376 ml, respectively, which compares well to our data from overall and highly complex renal masses [Table 3] and [Table 4]. From pooled analysis need for transfusion was 5.2% and 3.2% for overall and highly complex renal masses cohort which also compared well to the data from previous studies with renal masses of various complexities.^[40]

Table 4: Perioperative outcomes in studies included in the review with high complexity renal masses (radius, endophytic/exophytic, nearness, anterior/posterior location or preoperative aspects of dimension used for anatomic classification score ≥10)

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In this review, we noted pooled minor complications rate to be 19.1% and 16.2% and the major complications rate to be 6.3% and 6.2% in overall and highly complex renal masses cohort, respectively [Table 3] and [Table 4]. In a multi-institutional study of RAPN by Spana et al.,^[41] authors reported an overall complication rate of 15.8% of which 12% patients had minor and 3.7% patients had major complications. In a study by Tanagho et al.,^[35] intraoperative and overall complication rates were 2.6% and 15.6%, respectively. They also stratified complication rates according to the RENAL score, where intraoperative complications were 2.3%, 2.7%, and 8.2% in low, moderate, and high complexity renal masses. Overall complications rates were 9%, 15.8%, and 18% in low, moderate, and high complexity masses. In a meta-analysis, comparing OPN and RAPN, RAPN group reported 19.2%, 14.3%, and 8.9% overall, minor, and major complication rates, respectively.^[41] Thus, complication rates noted in our pooled analysis for complex renal masses are similar to RAPN cohort of mixed complexity reported previously.

Margin positivity reported in the present study is 3.9% and 5.2% in overall and high complexity group, respectively. A systematic review of 36 studies containing data on 45,786 patients reported 6.7%, 7%, 5%, and 4.3% positive surgical margins in overall, RAPN, LPN, and OPN, respectively. Authors also reported that positive surgical margins were associated with significant increases in risk of local recurrence, recurrence-free survival, and metastasis-free survival, however, had no effect on cancer-specific and overall survival.^[42] Wu et al.^[40] and Choi et al.^[43] reported a margin positivity rate of 3.3% and 4.3% in their studies, respectively, for RAPN. Thus, data on margin positivity for complex renal masses following RAPN falls within acceptable ranges as noted in previous large studies.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

In the present meta-analysis, comparison of perioperative variables revealed no significant difference in the two groups. These results are in contrary to previous meta-analysis by Choi et al.^[43] comparing the two groups. They found robotic group had favorable change in WIT and LOS. Similarly, in an earlier meta-analysis, Aboumarzouk et al.^[44] reported WIT to be favorable with robotic group compared to LPN. Theoretically, robotic platform with the added advantage of wristed instruments and 3D vision is expected to provide better WIT than laparoscopy. However, with complex renal tumors, this advantage gets blurred.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy versus open partial nephrectomy

In comparison of RAPN to OPN, we noted that RAPN had significantly lower EBL, complication rate (major and minor), need for blood transfusion, and LOS [Table 2]. Possibility of selection bias in these studies could not be ruled out with higher complexity lesions being preferentially dealt with open approach. In a previous meta-analysis, by Xia et al.^[45] comparing the two groups included 19 studies irrespective of their nephrometery scores. Similar to our study, authors noted RAPN to be advantageous with lower complication rates, need for blood transfusion, EBL and LOS.

Limitations

There are multiple limitations of this study, firstly the studies included in this study are case series or nonrandomized comparative studies that amount to low quality of evidence. Furthermore, most of the studies included in this review were retrospective, further lowering the quality of evidence. We did pooled analysis of studies using both RENAL and PADUA score that differs slightly from each other, as describing them separately would not have produced meaningful results in our opinion. Furthermore, pooled analysis for moderately complex renal tumors could not be performed as the included studies lacked separate data for the same.

We did not include survival outcomes in the present meta-analysis as the duration of follow-up in the studies included in this meta-analysis were of short duration hence appropriate conclusions could not be drawn. The studies included in this review are from various parts of the world which have different national insurance policies which might affect LOS.

Conclusions

RAPN is a feasible option for moderate to high complexity renal masses with slightly longer but acceptable operative time and WIT. EBL, need for transfusion, margin positivity, and complications rate is consistent with previously reported studies of mixed complexity renal masses. LPN and RAPN were equal in terms of perioperative outcomes for complex masses whereas, OPN had significantly higher EBL, complications rate, need for blood transfusion, and LOS as compared to RAPN.

Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.

Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.

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