Objective To compare the perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) with transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).Methods From July 2009 to March 2013,114 patients were treated in our hospital due to renal carcinoma,including RAPN in 45 patients and LPN in 69 patients.Their data were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical and pathological variables,R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score,operation time (OT),warm ischemia time (WIT),estimated blood loss (EBL),drainage volume,the length of hospitalization,estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) outcomes,and complications were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences between the RAPN and LPN group with respect to patient age,sex,tumor laterality,size,R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score,the rate of hilar tumor and preoperative eGFR (P＞0.05).The median OT was shorter in the RAPN group than that in LPN group (165 min vs.196 min,P＜0.05).The median WIT was shorter in the RAPN than that in LPN group (21 min vs.25 min,P＜0.05).However,there were no significant differences in the postoperative eGFR and changing of eGFR within the 2 groups (P＞0.05).The rate of transfusion was similar between the RAPN (2/45) and LPN (4/69) group (P=0.72).There was also no significant difference in EBL (P=0.16).The drainage volume was also similar within two groups (167 ml vs.163 ml,P=0.81).The length of hospitalization was more favorable in the RAPN group (6.5 d vs.8.0 d,P=0.01).In RAPN group,27 cases were clear-cell carcinoma,5 cases were papillary cell carcinoma,2 cases were chromophobe cell carcinoma and 1 1 cases were angioleiomyolipoma.In LPN group,45 cases were clear-cell carcinoma,9 cases were papillary cell carcinoma,3 cases were chromophobe cell carcinoma and 12 cases were angioleiomyolipoma.There was no difference of pathological types between LPN and RAPN groups (P＞0.05).The rate of positive surgical margins was 0％ (0/45) in RAPN group and 1.4％ (1/69) in LPN group (P=0.69).The rates of complication requiring intervention (Clavien grade Ⅲ) were 2.2％ (1/45) and 2.9％ (2/69) in the RAPN and LPN group,respectively (P＞0.05).Median follow up was 12 (4-36) months in the RAPN and 13 (5-34) months in the LPN group.No local recurrence or metastasis occurred in two groups.Conclusions Early comparative outcomes suggest that RAPN has a significant benefit over the LPN in terms of OT,WIT and hospital stay.Meanwhile,it offers equivalent prognosis and postoperative renal function preservation compared with LPN.

Sarcopenia is a progressive syndrome associated with aging, generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength and function.It is closely related to the occurrence of adverse events such as ambulatorydysfunction, falls and fractures in the elderly, and seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly.The etiology of sarcopenia has not been fully elucidated.Various pathophysiological mechanisms such as reduced exercise, genetic factors, age-related hormone changes, malnutrition and insufficient protein intake, decreased neuromuscular function, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and myocyte apoptosis are possible factors.Recent studies have found that intestinal microecological changes may be implicated in the occurrence and development of sarcopenia.In this article, we reviewed intestinal microecological changes and their possible role in the mechanisms underlying sarcopenia.