Nephron-sparing surgery is currently considered the gold standard treatment for T1 renal tumors. As laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) represents a technically challenging procedure, robotic surgery has been increasingly used during the last few years in the field of nephron-sparing surgery. The aim of this review is to analyze the techniques and outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Currently available evidence shows that RPN is a feasible and safe procedure for small localized renal tumors and also for selected complex renal tumors. Early comparative studies have demonstrated similar perioperative outcomes between RPN and LPN, with a trend towards a shorter ischemia time for RPN. However, oncological follow-up remains limited and further prospective trials are awaited to confirm the benefits of robotic approach for partial nephrectomy.
