FV Hospital doctors successfully remove a 5-cm kidney tumour from an Australian patient using robotic-assisted surgery

The procedure lasted approximately four hours, with the surgical team noting that the primary challenge was not merely the tumour’s anatomical position, but the intense time constraints inherent to the excision.

A significant renal tumour discovered at routine health check

Mr A. (an Australian patient in his forties) discovered a renal mass incidentally during a routine health check.

Following detailed clinical assessment, Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of the Urology & Andrology Department at FV Hospital, reported that the tumour measured over 5cm, with approximately half embedded deep within the renal parenchyma. Furthermore, the lesion was in direct contact with the renal collecting system, complicating surgical dissection.

Additionally, the patient presented with an anatomical variant: two renal arteries rather than the single artery typically supplying each kidney. This made intraoperative control of the renal blood supply significantly more challenging.

After careful consideration, the team opted for robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Xi, one of the most advanced robotic surgical systems in Southeast Asia. It is particularly suited to complex urological procedures due to its capacity for precise manipulation within confined anatomical spaces.

The Urology team performed robotic partial nephrectomy using the da Vinci Xi system. Image: FV

A race against time in the operating theatre

The procedure lasted approximately four hours. According to the surgical team, the greatest challenge lay not only in the tumour’s complex anatomical position, but in the considerable time pressure involved.

During excision, the surgeon must clamp the renal artery (or arteries) to temporarily halt blood supply to the kidney. Generally, warm ischaemia time should be kept under 30 minutes to avoid compromising long-term renal function. “It is truly a race against time; the longer the kidney is deprived of its blood supply, the greater the risk of tissue damage,” Dr Minh explained.

Thanks to seamless coordination within the surgical team and the support of the da Vinci Xi robotic system, the procedure achieved its most critical objective: complete excision of the tumour, with warm ischaemia time kept safely within the permitted threshold, thereby ensuring maximal preservation of healthy renal tissue.

“I made a remarkably swift recovery; I was back to eating normally and resuming my daily activities, and I didn’t even need any pain relief after the surgery,” the patient said.

The importance of regular screening in renal disease detection

According to Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, renal tumours are often difficult to detect early as they frequently present with no clear symptoms in the initial stages. The majority of cases are identified incidentally through routine screening.

Dr Do Quang Minh, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of the Urology & Andrology Department at FV Hospital, examining the patient. Image: FV

Abdominal ultrasound is a simple, fast and cost-effective screening method; yet, many people do not habitually undergo it until symptoms arise.

Doctors advise regular health screenings, particularly abdominal ultrasound, to enable early detection of underlying renal conditions and ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.

For enquiries or to book robotic surgery using the da Vinci Xi system, please visit FV Hospital, 6 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, or call (028) 3511 3333.