Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in the era of novel robotic platforms: the first european experience with the toumai ® system
Background To evaluate the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) performed using the Toumai® robotic system in this first European experience.Methods We conducted a prospective observational study including consecutive patients undergoing RAPN performed using the Toumai® robotic system at a tertiary referral robotic centre between May and December 2025. Perioperative, postoperative, functional, and pathological data were collected.Results A total of 21 RAPN procedures were performed using the Toumai® robotic system. Median patient age was 63 years, and 15 patients (71.4%) were male. Median tumour diameter was 3.2 cm. Median total operative time was 143 min, with a median console time of 90 min . No conversions to open surgery or radical nephrectomy occurred. Two robot-related technical events (9.5%) were recorded and managed intraoperatively without clinical consequences. One postoperative complication occurred (4.8%), graded as Clavien–Dindo I. No major complications, blood transfusions, or early readmissions (<30 days) were observed. Median length of hospital stay was three days. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed a minimal change at hospital discharge, with a median ΔeGFR of −2 mL/min/1.73m2 (p = 0.2).Conclusion In this first European experience, RAPN performed using the Toumai® robotic system was feasible and safe. Further studies are required to confirm long-term outcomes and comparative performance.
Authors
- Claudio Brancelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2190-3786)
- Pietro Piazza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6740-534X)
- Angelo Mottaran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8722-0126)
- Alessio Guidotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9760-3702)
- Attilio Barretta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7668-3475)
- Valerio Santarelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9689-438X)
- Paweł Wisz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1464-9962)
- Francesco Prata (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3084-6210)
- Pieter De Backer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9375-2353)
- Natali Rodriguez Peñaranda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3057-3805)
- V. Cavarra
- Francesco Cei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7732-8651)
- Francesco Pepillo
- Nicolas Carl
- Geert De Naeyer
- Riccardo Schiavina
- Ruben De Groote
- Mario de Angelis
- Lorenzo Bianchi
- Robin Hamal
- Edoardo Beatrici
- Federico Lavagno
- Edward Lambert
- Alexandre Mottrie
Institutions
- Moorgreen Hospital (GB)
- Azienda USL di Bologna (IT)
- Ministry of Interior (IT)
- Campus Bio Medico University Hospital (IT)
- ORSI Academy (BE)
- European Institute of Oncology (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Minimally Invasive Therapy & Allied Technologies
- Published
- 2026-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13645706.2026.2711930
- Primary Topic
- Renal cell carcinoma treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00