Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of solid renal masses without hilar clamping using a monopolar radio frequency device

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy is currently recommended for most amenable solid renal tumors, especially if they are exophytic and less than 4 cm. We reviewed our initial experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for solid renal masses without clamping the renal vasculature using a monopolar device that uses radio frequency energy with low volume saline irrigation for simultaneous blunt dissection, hemostatic sealing and coagulation of the renal parenchyma (TissueLink, TissueLink Medical, Inc., Dover, New Hampshire). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2002 to April 2003, 10 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, including 9 with solid renal masses and 1 with a complex cyst. In all cases the renal hilum was dissected and the renal vessels were isolated but none had renal vascular clamping. The TissueLink DS dissecting sealer or Floating Ball (TissueLink Medical, Inc.) was used to dissect the tumor free bluntly, while simultaneously sealing and coagulating bleeders. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 54.6 years (range 42 to 72). Mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.3 (range 2 to 4). Mean tumor size was 3.9 cm (range 2.1 to 8). The mass had a peripheral location in 7 cases and a central location in 3. Mean operative time was 232 minutes (range 144 to 280) and mean blood loss was 352 ml (range 20 to 1000). One patient received blood transfusion and all tumor margins were negative. Mean hospital stay was 1.7 days (range 1 to 5) and pain medication use was minimal. One patient had a brief period of urine leakage from the lower pole calix, which was managed successfully by ureteral stenting and Foley catheter drainage of the bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be performed without renal vascular clamping. TissueLink technology allows complete tumor resection and provides adequate parenchymal hemostasis of the tumor bed. Its scant tissue charring production does not interfere with the pathological assessment of the tumor margin status.