Background Several centers have reported their experience with single-port robotic partial nephrectomy (SP-RAPN) however, it is uncertain if utilization of this platform represents an improvement in outcomes as compared to multiport robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (MP-RAPN). To evaluate this, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes between SP-RAPN and MP-RAPN. Methods For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until January 1, 2023. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (MD) were applied for the comparison of dichotomous and continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Of the 374 retrieved abstracts, eight studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1,007 cases of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (453 SP-RAPN cases and 554 MP-RAPN cases). Compared to MP-RARP, the SP-RAPN group had a significantly longer ischemia time (MD = 4.6 minutes, 95% CI 2.8 to 6.3, p<0.001), less estimated blood loss (MD = -12.4 mL, 95% CI -24.6 to -0.3, p=0.045), higher blood transfusion rate (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.33 to 6.65, p=0.008), and higher postoperative eGFR at 6 months (MD = 4.9 mL/min, 95% CI 0.2 to 9.7, p=0.04). There were no significant differences in other outcomes between the two approaches, including the intraoperative complication, minor postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo I-II), major postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo III-V), conversion to radical nephrectomy, pain score at day #1, pain score on discharge, morphine milligram equivalent (MME) usage, hospital stay, positive surgical margins and postoperative eGFR. Conclusions Initial studies have demonstrated that SP-RAPN is a safe and feasible approach to performing partial nephrectomy, albeit with inferior outcomes for ischemia time and blood transfusion rates.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is a preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) because it offers better long-term survival and cost-effectiveness compared to dialysis. Significant global disparities persist in access to KT, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to assess the epidemiology and outcomes of KT in LMICs while examining the relationship between a country’s income level and its KT prevalence. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, with searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 31 May 2024. Relevant articles reporting on the epidemiology and outcomes of KT or ESRD patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in LMICs were included. A total of 8054 articles were identified, with 972 articles selected for full-text screening after initial title and abstract review. Following full-text screening, 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. The data showed significant variation in KRT and KT prevalence across different geographical locations. Higher-income countries within LMICs tended to have higher KT prevalence rates. Barriers such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited financial resources, and insufficient organ donation frameworks were identified as contributing factors to the low KT rates in these regions. The study highlights the disparities in KT access and prevalence in LMICs, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and international collaboration to address these gaps. Efforts to increase both living and deceased donor transplants, expand health system capacity, and incorporate KT in healthcare planning are needed to close this gap. Global partnerships spearheaded by organizations such as The Transplantation Society (TTS) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) are crucial for improving KT rates and outcomes in LMICs.

This study aimed to reveal the prognostic role of the Hippo pathway in different histopathological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The TCGA‐KIRC (n = 537), TCGA‐KIRP (n = 291) and TCGA‐KICH (n = 113), which contain data about clear cell (ccRCC), papillary (pRCC) and chromophobe RCC (chRCC), respectively, were investigated. Gene Set Variation Analysis was used to compare the activity of many pathways within a single sample. Oncogenic pathway‐related expression differed between cases of ccRCC involving low and high Hippo pathway activity. There were two subsets of ccRCC, in which the cancer exhibited lower and higher Hippo signalling activity, respectively, compared with normal tissue. In the ccRCC cohort, lower Hippo pathway activity was associated with a higher clinical stage (p < 0.001). The Hippo pathway (HR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.17–0.50,p < 0.001), apoptosis (HR = 6.02; 95% CI = 1.47–24.61;p = 0.013) and the p53 pathway (HR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.02–0.36;p < 0.001) were identified as independent prognostic factors for ccRCC. The 5‐year overall survival of the ccRCC patients with low and high Hippo pathway activity were 51.9% (95% CI = 45.0–59.9) and 73.6% (95% CI = 67.8–79.9), respectively. In conclusion, the Hippo pathway plays an important role in the progression of ccRCC. Low Hippo pathway activity is associated with poor outcomes in ccRCC, indicating the tumour suppressor function of this pathway.