Robotic Nephroureterectomy
The treatment of cancers that involve the urinary lining of the kidney or ureter includes the removal of the kidney, the ureter, and a piece of bladder near the entrance of the ureter.
Historically this operation was performed through 2 separate large incisions or 1 very large incision. Laparoscopic advances allowed the kidney part of the operation to be performed in a minimally invasion fashion and significantly improved morbidity. There were many different techniques developed to remove the ureter and part of the bladder, but many urologists including the oncologic urologists at AIU performed this operation in an open fashion to remove a more reliable piece of bladder and offer the best operation.
The Robotic Nephroureterectomy allows the ureter and piece of bladder to be removed in a minimally invasive fashion with a similar specimen to open surgery.