研究目的
To perform a systematic review and cumulative analysis of available studies comparing the outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) with or without the use of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging.
研究成果
Current evidence regarding the use of NIRF-guided selective clamping during RAPN is based on a limited number of studies from high-volume institutions. Notwithstanding these limitations, NIRF-RAPN can be safely performed, and it might offer better short-term renal functional outcomes. It remains to be determined whether this can ultimately translate into a clinical bene?t for patients undergoing RAPN, especially in the long term.
研究不足
The major limitation is related to the design of included studies. All the studies suffered from a high risk of selection bias due to the absence of randomization, and treatment choice based on surgeon preference. Moreover, none of the reports gave a picture of the blinding of participants and of the outcomes’ assessment, so this risk of bias was uncertain. Despite representing a robust statistical tool, meta-analyses certainly carry intrinsic biases, and randomized controlled trials should ideally be included. In our analysis, all studies were either retrospective or prospective nonrandomized, and study samples were limited.
