Sequential robot-assisted radical right nephrectomy and cholecystectomy: a safe combined procedure

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Kidney tumours are often found incidentally in the work-up of abdominal pain. We are reporting, to the best of our knowledge, the first series of robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RARN) combined with cholecystectomy (RACH) in patients with organ-confined right kidney tumour and gallbladder stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A solid organ-confined tumour of the right kidney, along with gallbladder stones, was demonstrated on CT in three patients following evaluation of colic-like abdominal pain. The tumours were deemed unsuitable for nephron-sparing surgery. A combined RARN with RACH in a single session was proposed for all the patients. RESULTS: Mean console time was 187 min. Estimated blood loss was minimal and all three patients had an uneventful recovery. The pathology reports confirmed complete excision of renal cell carcinoma with negative surgical margins and the gallbladders showed no signs of malignancy. CONCLUSION: Concomitant RARN-RACH for tumour in the right kidney and gallstones is a safe and effective procedure with excellent oncological and functional results.