Clinical advantages of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in terms of global and split renal functions: A propensity score‐matched comparative analysis

OBJECTIVES To identify predictors of renal function preservation, and to compare the global and split renal function outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. METHODS Demographic, operative and pathological data, as well as renal function outcomes, of 251 patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 104) and robot-assisted (n = 147) partial nephrectomy between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (1:1) was carried out to adjust for potential baseline confounders. Functional outcomes were assessed based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate and dynamic renal scintigraphy (using 99m Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine), including renal volumetric analysis. RESULTS A total of 98 patients were allocated to each partial nephrectomy group. Ischemic (laparoscopic vs robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: 29 vs 15 min, P