Digital kidney for planning in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

The aim of the study was to create an anatomical digital 3D model of the kidney for planning in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Based on computer tomography (CT) images, regions of interest were segmented and a virtual 3D reconstructed digital kidney model was created using the Mimics 10.01 software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). This patient-specific 3D model was used to plan the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). The surgeon was able to identify risk structures, assess the ideal resection planes and predict the residual shape after a reconstructive procedure. In conclusion, the use of digital kidney may facilitate laparoscopic surgical procedure due to better planning and improved orientation.