Partial Nephrectomy Melbourne
Robotic partial nephrectomy is a minimally invasive, kidney-sparing surgery performed using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. The procedure removes only the portion of the kidney containing the tumour while preserving the remaining healthy kidney tissue. This approach is the preferred treatment for small kidney tumours when technically feasible.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Brendan Dias
Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Urology), IntFRCS (England), FUSANZ, FRACS (Urology)
Last clinically reviewed: 26 August 2026
Benefits
- Preserves maximum kidney function by removing only the tumour
- Minimally invasive with 5-6 small keyhole incisions
- Enhanced precision with 10x magnified 3D visualisation
- Less pain and shorter hospital stay (2-3 days)
- Faster recovery compared to open surgery
- Equivalent cancer control to complete kidney removal
The Procedure
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes 2-3 hours. Five to six small incisions (8-12mm) are made in the abdomen. The robotic instruments and camera are inserted, the kidney is carefully exposed and the tumour identified. The blood supply to the kidney is temporarily controlled, the tumour is precisely excised with a small margin of healthy tissue, and the kidney is reconstructed with blood flow restored. The specimen is removed through a slightly enlarged incision.
Who Is a Candidate?
Robotic partial nephrectomy is typically recommended for small kidney tumours (generally less than 7cm), tumours in favourable locations, patients with a single kidney, bilateral kidney tumours, patients with kidney disease, and young healthy patients where long-term kidney preservation is beneficial.
Recovery
Most patients stay in hospital for 2-3 days. You can typically return to light activities within 2 weeks and normal activities within 4-6 weeks. Avoid heavy lifting (>5kg) for 4-6 weeks. Driving typically resumes at 2-3 weeks. The excised tumour is sent for pathological analysis to confirm the diagnosis and guide any further treatment.
Risks & Considerations
Potential complications include bleeding requiring blood transfusion, urine leak from the kidney (usually resolves spontaneously), conversion to open surgery if required for safety, damage to surrounding organs, blood clots, positive surgical margin requiring surveillance, and rarely conversion to complete kidney removal if partial removal is unsafe.