Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in horseshoe kidney: a hybrid technique with conventional laparoscopic surgery

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomies (RAPN) have come up to standard treatment for small renal tumors, with a growing indication to accomplish this procedure. Although a horseshoe kidney is one of the most common congenital renal fusion anomalies, surgical planning for tumors is considered difficult because of its poor mobility and abnormal vascular supply. We showed our experience of RAPN in combination with conventional laparoscopic kidney mobilization and dissection for a patient with renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney. The patient was an otherwise healthy 66-year-old man with 26 mm right renal mass on the lower pole of the horseshoe kidney. Robotic assistance allows for proper tissue dissection, easy to aware unconfirmed vasculatures, and meticulous fine suturing and would overcome the potential challenges involved in the minimally invasive management of such complex anomalies as shown in the patient.