Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: 3-year followup

PURPOSE: LPN is a viable alternative to open partial nephrectomy for select small renal tumors. However, published intermediate term oncological data are sparse. We present our experience with LPN for tumor in 100 patients with a minimum followup of 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 480 LPNs performed at our institution a minimum followup of 3 years is available in 100 patients since 1999. Overall and cancer specific survival data were obtained from patient charts, radiographic reports and direct telephone calls to patient families. RESULTS: All 100 cases were completed laparoscopically without open conversion. Mean tumor size was 3.1 cm and mean warm ischemia was 27 minutes. Final histopathology revealed renal cell carcinoma in 68 patients, including 1 with positive surgical margins. A second patient with oncocytoma had a positive surgical margin. At a median followup of 42 months (mean 42.6, range 24.3 to 62.5) no patient had evidence of local or port site recurrence. Two patients with renal cell carcinoma had a contralateral renal mass. Overall survival was 86% and cancer specific survival was 100%. Mean preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine was 1.1 and 1.3 mg/dl, respectively. Two patients with preoperative chronic renal insufficiency were undergoing hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: At 3-year followup LPN provides oncological outcomes comparable to those in contemporary open partial nephrectomy series.     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: evaluation of long-term oncological outcome

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has emerged as a viable alternative to open surgery for renal tumors less than 4 cm. We present oncological followup of patients treated with laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 1996 and December 2001, 48 patients who underwent LPN for clinically localized tumors were found to have pathologically proven renal cell carcinoma. Medical and operative records were reviewed for clinical characteristics, pathological findings and followup information. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 59.7 years (range 32 to 81) and mean followup was 37.7 months (range 22 to 84). Mean tumor size was 2.4 cm (range 1.0 to 4.0). Final pathological stage was pT1 in 42 patients (87.5%) and pT3a in 6 (12.5%). Histology revealed clear cell in 32 patients (66.7%), papillary in 10 (20.8%), chromophobe in 3 (6.3%), collecting duct in 1 (2.1%) and unclassified in 2 (4.2%). Intraoperative frozen section biopsies revealed negative margins in all cases. Final surgical margins were positive in 1 patient (2.1%). Followup evaluation consisting of physical examination and yearly cross-sectional imaging, which revealed no recurrences in 46 of 48 patients (95.8%). One patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease was found to have local recurrence 18 months after LPN and observation was elected. The second patient had recurrence in the same kidney away from the original tumor site approximately 4 years later. CONCLUSIONS: LPN is an effective treatment modality for clinically localized renal cell carcinoma. Oncological outcomes at a mean followup of 3 years are promising, although the durability of oncological outcomes must be determined.     

Laparoscopic vs open partial nephrectomy in consecutive patients: the Cornell experience

OBJECTIVE: To compare a contemporary series of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) at one institution, to evaluate the size and types of tumour in each group and the early outcome after each procedure, as LPN is replacing open radical nephrectomy as the standard of care for uncomplicated renal tumours but partial nephrectomy remains significantly more difficult laparoscopically, especially if the goal is to duplicate the open surgical technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the records of all patients who underwent partial nephrectomy at our institution from January 2000 to April 2004, identifying 66 who had LPN and compared them with 59 who had OPN (mean age at LPN and OPN, 62.1 and 64.2 years, respectively; 70% men in each group). Variables analysed included operative time, blood loss, creatinine levels before and after partial nephrectomy, time to resuming clear liquids and regular diet, length of stay, tumour size, tumour pathological type and complications. Groups were compared using Student's t-test, with P < 0.05 taken to indicate significance. RESULTS: Of those having LPN, 59% had right-sided tumours, vs 53% in the OPN group; the respective mean tumour size was 2.2 and 3.4 cm, the mean operative duration 144 and 239 min (both P < 0.001), and the mean estimated blood loss 236 and 363 mL (P = 0.09). Seven patients in the OPN group had obligatory partial nephrectomy for either a solitary kidney (two) or azotaemia (five). No patient in the LPN group required an obligatory partial nephrectomy. Serum creatinine levels were measured before and 1 and 2 days after surgery, and were 88, 88 and 97 micromol/L for the LPN group, and 97, 106 and 106 micromol/L for the OPN group. Clear fluids were started a mean of 41 h after surgery, a regular diet resumed 76 h after and discharge was 129 h after surgery in the OPN group; the respective values for the LPN group were 24 h (P = 0.01), 49 h (P = 0.2) and 82 h (P < 0.001). Complications were similar in both groups but the pathological subtypes differed. CONCLUSIONS: LPN offers early functional advantages over OPN in terms of earlier resumption of diet and slightly earlier discharge. However, the two groups of patients were clearly not evenly matched for size nor pathological subtypes, with larger, malignant subtypes more predominant in the OPN group. These results suggest that while LPN is a safe, effective treatment for small renal tumours, obligatory partial nephrectomy or large tumours continue to be performed using open techniques with good results.     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for multiple tumours: feasibility and analysis of peri-operative outcomes

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Laparoscopic nephron‐sparing procedures have been increasingly utilized. However, in the presence of multiple tumours the procedure choice is usually shifted to radical nephrectomy. In view of favourable perioperative outcomes, the benefits of minimally‐invasive, nephron‐sparing surgery in experienced hands could be safely extended to patients presenting with multiple ipsilateral renal masses.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To describe our experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for multiple kidney tumours and compare the outcomes with LPN performed for single masses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients undergoing LPN at our institution between 2005 and 2009 was performed.
• ? The cohort was divided in two groups based on tumour focality: group 1, LPN for a single tumour (n= 99) and group 2, LPN for multiple ipsilateral tumours (n= 12).
• ? The groups were compared with regards to demographic and peri‐operative variables.

RESULTS

• ? Demographic variables were not different between the groups. Median dominant tumour size was 3.1 cm (interquartile range [IQR] 2.4–4.0) and 4.0 cm (2.3–5.9) in groups 1 and 2, respectively.
• ? Median secondary tumour size in group 2 was 1.0 cm (1.0–1.8).
• ? Operative times were longer in group 2 compared with group 1 (220 vs 160 min, P= 0.009).
• ? Warm ischaemia times (WIT) (23 vs 22 min) and estimated blood loss (EBL) (100 vs 85 mL) were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? LPN is a viable option for the treatment of multiple ipsilateral renal tumours.
• ? Peri‐operative outcomes are similar to standard LPN with the exception of longer operative time.
• ? In experienced hands, the advantages of minimally invasive surgery may be extended to select patients with ipsilateral multifocal renal tumours.

     

Laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy for the treatment of pathological T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma: a 5-year survival rate

PURPOSE: We retrospectively compared the oncological adequacy of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to that of open partial nephrectomy in the treatment of patients with pathological stage T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients with stage T1N0M0 renal tumors confirmed by pathological examination of the surgical specimen underwent partial nephrectomy between January 1996 and June 2004 with a followup of at least 1.5 years. Of these patients 85 were treated laparoscopically and the remaining 58 underwent open surgery. Medical and operative records were retrospectively reviewed with emphasis on tumor recurrence and survival. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The mean followup for the laparoscopy group was 40.4 +/- 18.0 months. A total of 83 patients survived. Of these patients 2 patients experienced disease recurrence within 18 to 46.2 months, 1 patient died of cancer metastasis to brain within 29.7 months and 1 died of an unrelated cause. Seeding of the port sites did not develop in any of the patients. The 5-year disease-free and actuarial survival rates for this group were 91.4%, and 93.8%, respectively. The 58 patients who underwent open surgery had a mean followup of 49.68 +/- 28.84 months. A total of 53 patients survived without any disease recurrence, 1 survived with recurrence within 8 months, 1 survived with metastasis within 49 months and 3 died of unrelated causes. The 5-year disease-free and patient survival rates for this group were 97.6% and 95.8%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival and patient survival analysis revealed no significant differences between the laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an alternative technique with mid-range oncological results comparable to open partial nephrectomy in patients with localized pathological stage T1N0M0 renal cell carcinoma.     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for cystic masses

PURPOSE: Although laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has emerged as an effective treatment option in select patients with a solid renal tumor, scant data are available on cystic renal tumors. We report our experience with LPN in 50 patients with a cystic renal lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 284 patients undergoing LPN at our institution since August 1999 preoperative computerized tomography identified a suspicious cystic lesion in 50 (17.6%) (group 1). Data were retrospectively compared with those on 50 matched, consecutive patients undergoing LPN for a solid renal mass (group 2). All patients with Bosniak II/IIF cysts were advised to undergo watchful waiting. Surgery was offered if the cyst changed in character or if that was the patient preference. RESULTS: Median tumor size was 3 cm in group 1 and 2.6 cm in group 2 (p = 0.07). Groups 1 and 2 were comparable in regard to perioperative parameters. In patients with Bosniak II (9), IIF (4), III (12) and IV (21) cysts final histopathology revealed renal cell carcinoma in 22%, 25%, 50% and 90%, respectively. All 100 patients had a negative surgical margin. No patient in group 1 had intraoperative puncture/spillage of the cystic tumor. In group 1 during a mean followup of 14 months (range 1 month to 3 years) 1 patient had retroperitoneal recurrence at 1 year despite negative surgical margins during initial LPN. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcomes of LPN for suspicious cystic masses are similar to those of LPN for solid tumors. However, extreme caution and refined laparoscopic technique must be exercised to avoid cyst rupture and local spillage.     

Hand assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for peripheral and central lesions: a review of 30 consecutive cases

PURPOSE: We reviewed our first 30 hand assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomies and compared the results of 8 centrally located vs 22 peripherally located tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumors were classified by computerized tomography as central (less than 5 mm from the pelvicaliceal system or hilar vessels) or peripheral. The hand assisted technique consisted of mobilization and manual parenchymal compression without vascular occlusion or ureteral stent placement. Argon beam coagulation and a fibrin glue bandage were used for hemostasis. RESULTS: Mean tumor size was 2.6 cm (range 1.0 to 4.7). Mean operative time was 199 and 271 minutes, and estimated blood loss was 240 and 894 ml for peripheral and central lesions, respectively. No case required open conversion. The final diagnoses were renal cell carcinoma in 21 patients, angiomyolipoma in 4, benign or hemorrhagic cyst in 3 and oncocytoma in 2. Initial positive margins were found in 5 of 30 specimens (16.7%) (1 central and 4 peripheral) and all final resection margins were negative. Four central (50%) and 2 peripheral (9.1%) tumor cases required transfusion. Drain creatinine was elevated in 6 patients (20%) postoperatively, of whom 3 had a central and 3 had a peripheral lesion. All responded to conservative management except 1 patient (3.3%) who required stent placement. Postoperative bleeding in a central tumor case required transfusion of 4 units. There were no short-term local recurrences and 1 patient had an asynchronous tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Hand assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is safe with excellent immediate cancer control. Careful dissection and frozen section analysis are mandatory to ensure a negative tumor margin. Blood loss and transfusion rates were higher in patients with centrally located tumors and renal hilar vascular control should be considered for central lesions.     

Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To critically analyse the results of laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as phase III evidence supports cytoreductive nephrectomy before immunotherapy, and there is an overall shift towards minimally invasive renal surgery for this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since October 2000, 22 patients were treated by laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic RCC (group 1). All patients had radiological evidence of metastatic disease, with biopsy confirmation in 10. To put the results into perspective, 25 consecutive contemporary patients with large organ-confined nonmetastatic RCC (>7 cm, clinical stage T2) undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (group 2) were compared retrospectively. The baseline demographics were comparable between the groups. RESULTS: The mean tumour size was 8 cm in group 1 and 9.6 cm in group 2 (P = 0.07). Variables during and after surgery were comparable between the groups, with a mean operative duration of 3.1 vs 3.2 h (P = 0.82), blood loss of 285 vs 308 mL (P = 0.79), complications in two vs eight (P = 0.08), morphine sulphate equivalent requirements of 51.7 vs 44.1 mg (P = 0.1) and a median length of hospital stay of 1.7 vs 1.6 days (P = 0.68). In group 1 the median (range) time to immunotherapy was 35 (13-136) days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy is safe and effective in selected patients. Currently the procedure is offered to candidates eligible for immunotherapy and with tumours of < or = 15 cm, and no evidence of adjacent organ invasion or inferior vena caval thrombus. Significant perihilar adenopathy and numerous parasitic vessels can increase the complexity of the surgery. Adequate laparoscopic experience is necessary.     

Complications of radical and partial nephrectomy in a large contemporary cohort

PURPOSE: Standardized criteria for reporting the early complications of urological procedures are lacking. We reviewed the early complications of radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) in a large contemporary cohort using a standardized complication grading scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2002, 1,049 patients underwent RN (66%) or PN (34%) for renal cortical neoplasm. Records were reviewed for perioperative complications. Complications were graded using a 5-tiered scale based on the severity of impact or intensity of therapy required. RESULTS: A total of 235 complications occurred in 180 patients (17%). Overall 55% and 31% of complications were grade I and grade II, respectively. There were 3 perioperative deaths (0.2%). PN was not associated with more complications compared to RN when accounting for other variables. PN cases had more procedure related complications compared to RN (9% versus 3%, respectively, p = 0.0001) due to complications of urinary leak and the reintervention rate was subsequently higher (2.5% versus 0.6%, p = 0.02). All but 1 of the reinterventions for PN involved either endoscopy or radiology. By multivariate analysis operative time (p <0.0001) and solitary kidney (p = 0.06) were associated with procedure related complications of PN. CONCLUSIONS: RN and PN are associated with low rates of serious morbidity and mortality. Compared to RN, PN is associated with higher rates of procedure related complications, the majority of which are minor. Overall, however, PN is not associated with more complications than RN.     

腹腔镜肾音部切除术中肾功台邑保护方法的临床应用进展

腹腔镜肾部分切除术（LPN）目前已得到广泛开展。术中阻断肾动脉可减少术中出血,为手术提供清晰的术野,但可能引起肾缺血损伤。为此,本文搜集了目前常用的LPN术中肾功能保护方法并加以综述,以期促进LPN的进一步发展和普及。     

超早期肾动脉阻断技术在复杂性腹腔镜肾脏手术中的应用

随着腹腔镜技术的成熟和经验的积累,腹腔镜肾癌根治术已经成为局限性肾癌和部分局部进展性肾癌治疗的＂金标准＂。经腹腹腔镜肾癌根治术中采用经典或早期肾动脉阻断方法是不符合无瘤原则的,而采用超早肾动脉阻断方法（左侧经屈氏韧带从左肾动脉根部阻断、右侧经主动脉-下腔静脉间隙从右肾动脉根部阻断）能在尽少触碰瘤体的情况下完成肾动脉阻断,不仅最大程度地遵循了无瘤原则,而且在处理一些复杂性肾癌（如大肾癌、伴淋巴结转移、伴肾静脉癌栓、既往同侧肾手术史、外伤史、感染史、肾动脉变异等）也体现出明显优势。同时该方法还能扩展应用于其他比较复杂的肾（根治）切除手术中,如肾周严重侵犯的肾盂癌、巨大肾良性肿瘤、肾结核、感染性无功能肾等。超早期肾动脉阻断方法既遵循无瘤原则,又降低了复杂性腹腔镜肾脏手术的难度,值得临床推广。     

后腹腔镜肾部分切除术治疗局限性肾肿瘤的临床价值

目的:对比分析后腹腔镜肾部分切除术(RLPN)与开放肾部分切除术(OPN)治疗局限肾肿瘤的临床疗效。方法:43例肾肿瘤患者随机分为两组:其中19例行RLPN,24例行OPN。观察手术时间、术中肾热缺血时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、术后胃肠功能恢复时间、术后住院时间。结果:RLPN组患者的手术时间及术中肾缺血时间均明显较OPN组长,而术中出血量则明显少于OPN组,且胃肠恢复时间及住院时间均明显较OPN组少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:后腹腔镜下肾部分切除术治疗局限肾肿瘤疗效确切,出血量及并发症少,微创优势明显,是替代开放手术治疗局限肾肿瘤的有效方法。     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in solitary kidney

PURPOSE: We report our experience with LPN for tumor in a solitary kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 430 patients undergoing LPN since February 1999 at our institution 22 (5%) underwent LPN for tumor in a solitary kidney, as performed by a single surgeon. The laparoscopic technique that we used duplicated open principles, including hilar clamping, cold cut tumor excision and sutured renal reconstruction. RESULTS: Mean tumor size was 3.6 cm (range 1.4 to 8.3, median 3 cm), median blood loss was 200 cc (range 50 to 500), warm ischemia time was 29 minutes (range 14 to 55), total operative time was 3.3 hours (range 2.2 to 4.5) and hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 1.3 to 12). Two cases (9%) were electively converted to open surgery. Pathological findings confirmed renal cell carcinoma in 16 patients (73%) with negative surgical margins in all those with LPN. Major complications occurred in 3 patients (15%) and minor complications developed in 7 (32%). Median preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine (1.2 and 1.5 mg/dl) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (67.5 and 50 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) reflected a change of 33% and 27%, respectively, which appeared proportionate to the median amount of kidney parenchyma excised (23%). One patient (4.5%) required temporary hemodialysis. At a median followup of 2.5 years (range 0.5 to 4.5) cancer specific and overall survival was 100% and 91%, respectively. No patient with LPN had local or port site recurrence, or metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: LPN can be performed efficaciously and safely in select patients with tumor in a solitary kidney. To our knowledge we present the largest series in the literature. Advanced laparoscopic experience and expertise are necessary in this high risk population.     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with segmental renal artery clamping: technique and clinical outcomes

Background

Warm ischemic injury is one of the most important factors affecting renal function in partial nephrectomy (PN). The technique of segmental renal artery clamping emerges as an alternative to conventional renal artery clamping for renal hilar control.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of laparoscopic PN (LPN) with segmental renal artery clamping in comparison with the conventional technique.

Design, setting, and participants

A total of 75 patients underwent LPN from June 2007 to November 2009. All patients had T1a or T1b tumor in one kidney and a normal contralateral kidney. Thirty-seven patients underwent surgeries with main renal artery clamping, and 38 underwent surgeries with segmental artery clamping.

Intervention

All procedures were performed by the same laparoscopic surgeon.

Measurements

Blood loss, operation time, warm ischemia (WI) time, and complications affected renal function before and after operation were recorded.

Results and limitations

All LPNs were completed without conversion to open surgery or nephrectomy. The novel technique slightly increased WI time (p < 0.001) and intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.006), while it provided better postoperative affected renal function (p < 0.001) compared with the conventional technique. The total complication rate was 12%. Among the 38 cases where segmental renal artery clamping was performed, 7 had to convert to the conventional method. Tumor size and location influenced the number of clamped segmental arteries. Long-term postoperative renal function is still awaited.

Conclusions

LPN with segmental artery clamping is safe and feasible in clinical practice. It minimizes the intraoperative WI injury and improves early postoperative affected renal function compared with main renal artery clamping.     

后腹腔镜肾动脉高选择性阻断与全阻断肾部分切除术疗效比较

目的:比较分析后腹腔镜下高选择性肾动脉阻断与肾动脉全阻断治疗T1a期肾透明细胞癌(4cm)的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析我院2011年1月~2013年10月55例T1a期肾透明细胞癌(4cm)患者行后腹腔镜肾部分切除术(RLPN)的临床资料。根据术式分为高选择性肾动脉阻断组27例和肾动脉全阻断组患者28例,通过比较两组患者肾动脉阻断时间、手术时间、术中出血量、术后肾功能(术后24小时肌酐)、术后并发症、住院时间及生存随访情况等,研究分析两组手术方式的临床疗效。结果:两组肾动脉阻断时间、术中出血量、住院时间差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组手术时间、术后肾功能(术后24小时肌酐)、术后并发症及生存随访情况的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:后腹腔镜肾动脉高选择性阻断肾部分切除术患者较肾动脉全阻断肾部分切除术患者具有肾动脉阻断时限宽、术中出血量少、术后肾功能影响小及术后恢复快等优点,后腹腔镜肾动脉高选择性阻断肾部分切除术治疗肾透明细胞癌是一种可行有效的治疗方案。     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for hilar tumors

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy for hilar tumors represents a technical challenge not only for laparoscopic, but also for open surgeons. We report the technical feasibility and perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for hilar tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and September 2004, 25 of 362 patients (6.9%) undergoing LPN for tumor, as performed by a single surgeon, had a hilar tumor. We defined hilar tumor as a tumor located in the renal hilum that was demonstrated to be in actual physical contact with the renal artery and/or renal vein on preoperative 3-dimensional computerized tomography. En bloc hilar clamping with cold excision of the tumor, including its delicate mobilization from the renal vessels, followed by sutured renal reconstruction was performed routinely. RESULTS: Laparoscopic surgery was successful in all cases without any open conversions or operative re-interventions. Mean tumor size was 3.7 cm (range 1 to 10.3), 4 patients (16%) had a solitary kidney and the indication for LPN was imperative in 10 patients (40%). Pelvicaliceal repair was performed in 22 patients (88%), mean warm ischemia time was 36.4 minutes (range 27 to 48), mean blood loss was 231 cc (range 50 to 900), mean total operative time was 3.6 hours (range 2 to 5) and mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (range 1.5 to 6.7). Histopathology confirmed renal cell carcinoma in 17 patients (68%), of whom all had negative margins. In 2002 or earlier hemorrhagic complications occurred in 3 patients (12%). No kidney was lost for technical reasons. CONCLUSIONS: LPN can be performed in select patients with a hilar tumor. The technical feasibility reported further extends the scope of LPN. To our knowledge the initial experience in the literature is reported.