Compares two body positions for robotic surgery to remove part of a kidney tumor
Compares two patient positions during robotic removal of small kidney tumors in adults.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Clinical Trial Addressing the Best Surgical Approach for Partial Nephrectomy With Single Port Robotic System in the Management of Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma
Key facts
- Where
- Milan, ItalySee the site
Where in Italy
- ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano NiguardaMilan, ItalyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Niguarda Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT07234409
- Record updated
- 21 November 2025
- Original description
This study aims to find out which surgical position is safer and works better for patients candidate to robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) - a minimally invasive procedure to remove a small kidney tumor while preserving healthy kidney tissue.Read full original descriptionShow less
Standard Flank Approach vs Supine Approach for Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy
This study aims to find out which surgical position is safer and works better for patients candidate to robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) - a minimally invasive procedure to remove a small kidney tumor while preserving healthy kidney tissue.
During this operation, the patient can be placed in two different positions:
* the standard flank position, where the patient lies on their side * a newer supine position, where the patient lies on their back using a technique called Supine Anterior Retroperitoneal Approach (SARA).
Both approaches are performed using the Da Vinci® Single Port (SP) robotic system, a state-of-the-art surgical robot that allows the operation to be done through a single small incision.
The traditional flank position has been used for many years, but it can be uncomfortable for patients and may increase the risk of certain anesthetic or nerve-related complications, especially in people with higher body weight. The new supine SARA technique could make surgery faster, safer, and less painful, but it has not yet been tested in a randomized study.
This is the first clinical trial designed to directly compare these two approaches in patients with small and localized kidney cancers (tumors ≤7 cm, stage cT1).
The study will include 124 patients treated at ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda in Milan, Italy - a leading center in robotic urologic surgery.
Age ≥ 18 years; Presence of a single, unilateral, primary renal mass ≤ 7 cm in diameter (clinical stage cT1) documented CT scan; No evidence of systemic disease or lymph node involvement; Candidate for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy using the Da Vinci SP platform; Signed informed consent; Absence of solitary kidney status; No previous partial nephrectomy/ies on the same kidney; Absence of preoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5; Absence of any condition that makes mandatory or significantly more adequate the choice of a specific approach over the others (e.g., multiple previous major abdominal surgeries, horseshoe kidney, presence of stomas).