Background: Several new treatment strategies have emerged in the treatment of small renal masses (<4 cm in diameter). Active surveillance and ablative techniques have been introduced but it remains unclear which patients will benefit the most from these new treatment options. A surgical approach remains standard of care. In recent decades, radical nephrectomy has been replaced by nephron-sparing surgery for the management of small renal masses.
Results: In addition to the open partial nephrectomy, which is considered the standard approach, the number of surgeries performed using minimally invasive techniques is increasing. Recent data show that there might be some benefits such as less blood loss. The disadvantages shown by laparoscopic partial nephrectomy such as prolonged warm ischemia, longer operation times, and postoperative renal impairment might be negligible for the robotic approach. Therefore, current guidelines allow these approaches in addition to open partial nephrectomy if sufficient surgical expertise is given.
Keywords: Laparoscopic surgical procedures; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Nephrectomy, radical; Resection; Robotic surgical procedures.