A new 3D method of calculating contact surface area (CSA) for renal tumours is reported in Urologic Oncology. This method can reliably predict perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Several scores can be used to assess renal tumour complexity and complications, including R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA, but these scores were developed prior to the concept of 3D reconstruction. The idea of the CSA calculation was introduced 10 years ago to quantify the contact area between the renal tumour and surrounding healthy parenchyma. However, the CSA calculation assumes that renal tumours are spherical.