Achieving zero ischemia in minimally invasive partial nephrectomy surgery

•Seven methods could achieve zero ischemic partial nephrectomy.•Selective renal artery clamping technique is suitable for medially located tumors.•Selective renal parenchymal clamping technique is achievable for polar tumors.•Energy ablative techniques like laser and radio frequency could also achieve zero ischemia MIPN.

Widespread application of the minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN) techniques like laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy, has been limited by concerns about prolonged warm ischemia. So techniques aiming at performing have been actively explored. A systemic review of literatures on the MIPN without hilar clamping was performed and related methods were summarized. There are mainly seven methods including selective/segmental renal artery clamping technique, selective renal parenchymal clamping technique, targeted renal blood flow interruption technique, laser supported MIPN, radio frequency assisted MIPN, hydro-jet assisted MIPN, and sequential preplaced suture renorrhaphy technique that have been undergoing enthusiastic investigation for achieving MINP without hilar clamping. All of these emerging techniques represent the exploring work to achieve a zero ischemia MIPN for small renal tumors of different characteristics. Though not perfect for any of the technique, they deserve a further assessment during their future experimental and clinical applications.