Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: off-clamp technique

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has been established as a viable alternative to open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors. Multiple variations in surgical technique have been described to reduce warm ischemia time (WIT). We present our off-clamp technique for RAPN. From August 2007 to January 2012, off-clamp RAPN was performed on 47 tumors in 39 patients. WIT was 0 minutes in all cases. The mean operative time was 147 minutes (SD=58); the mean and median estimated blood loss were 219 mL (SD=253) and 150 mL (range 50-1500), respectively; the mean length of stay was 1.9 days (SD=1.1). There were no intraoperative complications, and results for all surgical margins were negative. In experienced hands, our off-clamp technique for RAPN is a safe and feasible technique that eliminates WIT.