Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Abstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the gold standard for treating kidney stones larger than 20 mm. However, the procedure requires high expertise and technical skills, especially for precise and accurate percutaneous access. This paper presents a robotic system designed to en...

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Main Authors: Stefano Bazzani, Stefano Puliatti, Stefania Ferretti, Giampaolo Bianchi, Cristian Secchi, Federica Ferraguti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00451-0
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author Stefano Bazzani
Stefano Puliatti
Stefania Ferretti
Giampaolo Bianchi
Cristian Secchi
Federica Ferraguti
author_facet Stefano Bazzani
Stefano Puliatti
Stefania Ferretti
Giampaolo Bianchi
Cristian Secchi
Federica Ferraguti
author_sort Stefano Bazzani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the gold standard for treating kidney stones larger than 20 mm. However, the procedure requires high expertise and technical skills, especially for precise and accurate percutaneous access. This paper presents a robotic system designed to enable accurate kidney access by combining 3D anatomical modeling with real-time ultrasound guidance, thereby allowing novice surgeons to gain confidence in performing the initial puncture. A comprehensive validation campaign was conducted in a controlled clinical simulation environment, with experiments performed by both experienced urologists and urology residents. The proposed system improves surgical performance, reduces human error, and makes the procedure more accessible to less experienced clinicians.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2731-3395
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Communications Engineering
spelling doaj-art-eaa443f22bc54e1db4de424ac6616f4b2025-08-20T04:03:07ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952025-07-014111110.1038/s44172-025-00451-0Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomyStefano Bazzani0Stefano Puliatti1Stefania Ferretti2Giampaolo Bianchi3Cristian Secchi4Federica Ferraguti5Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaSurgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Policlinico di ModenaSurgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaDepartment of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaDepartment of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaAbstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the gold standard for treating kidney stones larger than 20 mm. However, the procedure requires high expertise and technical skills, especially for precise and accurate percutaneous access. This paper presents a robotic system designed to enable accurate kidney access by combining 3D anatomical modeling with real-time ultrasound guidance, thereby allowing novice surgeons to gain confidence in performing the initial puncture. A comprehensive validation campaign was conducted in a controlled clinical simulation environment, with experiments performed by both experienced urologists and urology residents. The proposed system improves surgical performance, reduces human error, and makes the procedure more accessible to less experienced clinicians.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00451-0
spellingShingle Stefano Bazzani
Stefano Puliatti
Stefania Ferretti
Giampaolo Bianchi
Cristian Secchi
Federica Ferraguti
Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Communications Engineering
title Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
title_full Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
title_fullStr Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
title_full_unstemmed Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
title_short Ultrasonographic-guided robotic-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
title_sort ultrasonographic guided robotic assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00451-0
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AT stefanopuliatti ultrasonographicguidedroboticassistedpercutaneousnephrolithotomy
AT stefaniaferretti ultrasonographicguidedroboticassistedpercutaneousnephrolithotomy
AT giampaolobianchi ultrasonographicguidedroboticassistedpercutaneousnephrolithotomy
AT cristiansecchi ultrasonographicguidedroboticassistedpercutaneousnephrolithotomy
AT federicaferraguti ultrasonographicguidedroboticassistedpercutaneousnephrolithotomy