ABSTRACT
Our objective was to investigate the long-term functional outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) combined with three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The 3D images, reconstructed using computed tomography, were introduced in RAPN procedures. The demographic, oncological, functional, and volumetric outcomes of 296 patients who underwent RAPN with and without 3D imaging between 2013 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to adjust for potential baseline confounders. After matching, 71 patients were allocated to each group. In the 3D RAPN (3DRPN) group, functional outcomes significantly improved: the number of patients with over 90% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation rate (40 vs. 43, P = 0.044), eGFR preservation rate (88.0% vs. 91.6%, P = 0.006), the number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) upstaging (26 vs. 13, P = 0.023), and split renal function preservation rate (operated kidney: 84.9% vs. 88.5%, P = 0.015). The 3DRPN group showed superiority in terms of >90% eGFR preservation (P = 0.010), CKD upstaging-free survival rates (P < 0.001), and volumetric outcomes (excess parenchymal volume: 27.9 vs. 17.7 mL, P = 0.030; parenchyma volume preservation rate: 81.6% vs. 88.8%, P = 0.006). Three-dimensional imaging was positively associated with eGFR preservation (P = 0.023, odds ratio: 2.34) and prevention of CKD upstaging (P = 0.013, odds ratio: 2.90). In this study, RAPN combined with 3D imaging underscored the preservation of eGFR > 90% and the prevention of CKD upstaging by improving the preservation rate of renal parenchyma and split renal function.