Achieving trifecta outcomes in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy within a fellowship training centre.

ABSTRACT

To assess the robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) trifecta rate within a fellowship program. Patients undergoing RAPN 01/01/2010-01/07/2023 were enrolled from a prospectively maintained database. All cases were performed jointly with surgical fellows, except when privately insured. Patients were excluded if they were converted to open or radical nephrectomy. The primary outcome was achieving the 'trifecta' of negative surgical margins, no complications < 30 days post-operatively and warm ischaemia time (WIT) < 25 min. The secondary outcomes were factors associated with trifecta success. Ethics approval was obtained. In the enrolment period, 355 patients underwent intended RAPN, of whom seven were excluded due to conversion to conversion to radical nephrectomy (6 patients) or conversion to open (one). Amongst the 348 eligible patients, median age was 60 years, 115 (33%) were female and 19 were private patients. WIT was < 25 min for 324/337 patients (96%), surgical margins were negative in 325 (93%), 294 (84%) were complication-free at 30 days and 301/320 (94%) had a < 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate at 3-6 months postoperatively. Subsequently, trifecta outcomes were achieved in 253/337 (75%) patients. Comparing with patients without those with trifecta success were similar in all thirteen measured patients and tumour factors. In a teaching hospital, with a fellowship training programme, trifecta outcome is achievable for most RAPN patients, and at a rate comparable to international standards. Fellowship centres should monitor their outcomes to ensure high patient outcomes are maintained alongside training requirements.