Comparison of Outcomes and Surgical Time Between Cortical and Medullary Suture vs. Medullary-Only Suture: Cortex Clinical Trial, From 2025 to 2027
Renal function preservation is a growing concern in the surgical management of kidney tumors, particularly with the rise in chronic kidney disease worldwide. Recent surgical innovations have focused on modifying renorrhaphy techniques to minimize renal damage. Emerging evidence suggests that omitting cortical suturing may reduce operative time, blood loss, and renal parenchymal loss without increasing major complications. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare outcomes between medullary-only and combined cortical-medullary suture techniques during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, with the goal of identifying the approach that best balances functional preservation and surgical safety.
• Diagnosis of renal mass confirmed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Indication for partial nephrectomy
• Written informed consent
• Expected survival of at least 6 months
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score performance status ≤ 1
• Negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 24 hours before surgery for women of childbearing potential
• Recovery from any prior therapy-related toxicity to grade 1 or better
• If a biopsy has been performed, pathology consistent with renal cell carcinoma (RCC)