Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42091753›Full record

ReviewCurrent urology reports2026

Is Open Partial Nephrectomy Still an Option in the Robotic Era?

Patrick Michael, Ruben Blachman-Braun, Lauren Loebach, Hangcheng Fu, Braden Millan, Jaskirat Saini, Sandeep Gurram, W Marston Linehan, Mark Ball

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current urology reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Patrick MichaelUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Ruben Blachman-BraunUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Lauren LoebachUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Hangcheng FuUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Braden MillanUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Jaskirat SainiUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Sandeep GurramUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
W Marston LinehanUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Mark BallUrologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. mark.ball@nih.gov.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewThis review examines the modern role of open partial nephrectomy (OPN), indications for this surgical approach, and outcomes associated with the open technique in the era of robotic surgery. RECENT

findingsRobotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) now predominates for small renal masses and is increasingly applied to larger and more complex masses. Across multiple comparative series and meta-analyses, RAPN offers equivalent oncologic control and functional preservation compared to OPN, while demonstrating reduced perioperative morbidity. Nonetheless, OPN remains valuable for tumors in hostile or re-operative fields, certain hereditary syndromes, solitary kidneys when cold ischemia is preferred, and settings without reliable robotic access. Declining open case exposure during training raises concerns about maintaining surgical competency. OPN remains an important option when use of the approach provides improved surgical exposure, ischemia management, intra-operative safety, or feasibility of nephron sparing. A pragmatic, surgeon-experience-based approach that prioritizes oncologic control, parenchymal preservation, and patient safety best serves individualized care.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Renal CellKidney NeoplasmsNephrectomyRobotic Surgical ProceduresHumansOrgan Sparing TreatmentsKidney cancerNephron-sparing surgeryOpen surgical techniquePartial nephrectomyRenal cell carcinomaRobotic surgery

Identifiers

PMID42091753

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.