Attilio Barretta, Paweł Wisz, Alessio Guidotti, Francesco Cei, Edoardo Beatrici, Natali Rodriguez Peñaranda, Francesco Prata, Francesco Pepillo, Mario de Angelis, Nicolas Carl, Claudio Brancelli, Vincenzo Cavarra, Valerio Santarelli, Federico Lavagno, Angelo Mottaran, Pietro Piazza, Lorenzo Bianchi, Robin Hamal, Edward Lambert, Pieter De Backer, Ruben De Groote, Geert De Naeyer, Riccardo Schiavina, Alexandre Mottrie
In this first European experience, RAPN performed using the Toumai® robotic system was feasible and safe. Further studies are required to confirm long-term outcomes and comparative performance.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) performed using the Toumai® robotic system in this first European experience.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study including consecutive patients undergoing RAPN performed using the Toumai® robotic system at a tertiary referral robotic centre between May and December 2025. Perioperative, postoperative, functional, and pathological data were collected.
RESULTS: A total of 21 RAPN procedures were performed using the Toumai® robotic system. Median patient age was 63 years, and 15 patients (71.4%) were male. Median tumour diameter was 3.2 cm. Median total operative time was 143 min, with a median console time of 90 min . No conversions to open surgery or radical nephrectomy occurred. Two robot-related technical events (9.5%) were recorded and managed intraoperatively without clinical consequences. One postoperative complication occurred (4.8%), graded as Clavien-Dindo I. No major complications, blood transfusions, or early readmissions (<30 days) were observed. Median length of hospital stay was three days. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed a minimal change at hospital discharge, with a median ΔeGFR of -2 mL/min/1.73m2 (p = 0.2).
CONCLUSION: In this first European experience, RAPN performed using the Toumai® robotic system was feasible and safe. Further studies are required to confirm long-term outcomes and comparative performance.