Optimal use of the robot for reconstructive surgery
“Technological improvement has been the engine that has pushed advances in urology over the last decades,” according to Prof. Alberto Breda (Barcelona, ES). “The last frontier of the surgical development was the introduction of robot-assisted surgery, which redefined most of the best-known surgical techniques.”
Prof. Breda gives us a preview of Plenary Session 6: Reconstructive Surgery: did the robot take over? Plenary Session 6 will take place on Sunday, 11 July at 11:45.
“In 2021 we can state that the robot-assisted approach has become a routine, also for reconstruction surgery. The high dexterity and enhanced vision offered by robot-assisted procedures allows us to explore different techniques of neobladder after radical cystectomy and even to perform a safe and effective kidney transplantation with a minimally invasive approach. This is why the Annual EAU congress will host, for the first time, a dedicated Plenary Session entitled “Reconstructive surgery: Did the robot take over?”.
“The session will be divided in two main topics discussed by world-renowned experts in the field: reconstructive surgery in benign disease and and in oncology. In the first case, uretero-pelvic junction surgery, iatrogenic ureteral injury repair, robotic surgery in pediatric patients and kidney transplantation will be discussed. In the oncological section, a focus on the various intracorporeal neobladder technique will be provided to end with a panel discussion on their functional outcomes in comparison with traditional techniques. The plenary session also features multiple debates with pre-recorded cases and live discussion.”
“The importance of the topic also led to the creation of two dedicated thematic sessions. Thematic Session 18 will provide insights of robotic techniques for lymph node dissection during nephroureterectomy, radical nephrectomy with vena cava thrombectomy. Moreover, laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy will be discussed and compared to the robotic technique while the use of a novel robotic platform will be described for radical prostatectomy.”
“The second, ‘Kidney transplantation in 2021’ (Thematic Session 19), will focus on robot-assisted kidney transplantation, orthotopic kidney transplantation and management of special situations such as ureteral complications, transplant in Jehovah’s witnesses and robotic prostatectomy in transplanted patients.
“Finally, we will examine the future: the surgery of 2030 is being covered in a variety of abstract sessions. The introduction of new technologies for robotic surgery is the next step of innovation. This is leading to overcome challenges of outmost importance linked to this field. For example, the preoperative surgical planning is being revolutionized by 3D reconstruction. The use of augmented reality and near-infrared fluorescence and Indocyanine green (ICG) is currently reported in real-time assessment of tissue viability as well as structures identifications to avoid complication and ischemia of the organ or of the anastomosis.”