Partial nephrectomy has been previously reported as safe and effective in appropriately selected children with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
However, there are limited reports of laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy for oncologic surgery in children. Additionally, nodal involvement is common in pediatric RCC, and may present even with small primary tumors. Also, it is suggested that lymph node dissection may provide therapeutic benefit. We present a case of pediatric RCC and demonstrate how the risk of nodal involvement may impact the surgical approach. Robotic-assisted laparoscopy can permit excellent exposure for an oncologically-sound resection, in this case a partial nephrectomy, as well as an extended lymph node dissection.
Written by:
Cost NG, Geller JI, DeFoor WR Jr, Wagner LM, Noh PH. Are you the author?
Division of Pediatric Urology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Reference: J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Oct;47(10):1946-50.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2012.08.017
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23084214
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