**8. Future perspectives**

With increasing expertise in complex partial nephrectomy for large renal masses, the utility of LRN is likely to encompass now new and expanded indications due to the incremental clinical benefit provided by the robotic platform over pure laparoscopy. The excellent exposure provided by laparoscopy combined with the improved vision, magnification, dexterity and maneuverability of the robotic platform allows experienced surgeons to perform more complex and technical demanding procedures in a minimally invasive manner. The beginning of widespread availability of robotic technology is likely to drive utilization of robotic radical nephrectomy for complex renal malignancy cases including locally advanced renal cancer invading adjacent structures, cytoreductive surgery in metastatic renal cancer, retroperitoneal LND for bulky regional lymphadenopathy, and tumor thrombectomy for venous tumor thrombus extending to the vena cava [1].
