后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路肿瘤3例

目的探讨后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的临床疗效。方法对2例肾盂癌、1例输尿管上段移行细胞癌先采用尿道电切镜行患侧输尿管口膀胱黏膜袖套状切除,而后行后腹腔镜根治性肾输尿管全切术。结果3例手术均获成功,平均手术时间190min,术中出血平均50mL,患者均于术后36~48h下床活动,术后住院时间9~11d(平均10d),术中、术后无严重并发症。结论后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路肿瘤是一种安全、有效的微创手术方法,实用性较强,具有良好的应用前景。     

经尿道电切联合后腹腔镜在上尿路肿瘤手术中的应用体会

目的:探讨应用经尿道等离子电切镜联合后腹腔镜行膀胱输尿管口袖套状切除加肾输尿管全长切除术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的可行性及安全性。方法:选取12例上尿路移行细胞癌患者,首先取截石位,应用经尿道等离子电切镜行膀胱输尿管口袖套状切除术,再改为健侧卧位采用后腹腔镜行肾输尿管切除,术中游离出输尿管中上段,最后采取麦氏点或反麦氏点切口游离输尿管下段并取出标本。术后常规行膀胱灌注化疗。结果:手术均获成功,手术时间平均(155.3±13.3)min,出血量平均(81.3±20.8)ml,术后平均(9.1±0.9)d出院,无严重并发症发生。术后随访1.5年,1例发生膀胱移行细胞癌。结论:经尿道等离子电切镜联合后腹腔镜手术治疗肾盂输尿管上尿路移行细胞癌安全、可行,具有术后康复快、手术创伤小及并发症少等优点,具有良好的应用前景。     

后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切镜治疗上尿路移行细胞癌(附83例报告)

目的 探讨后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切镜治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的效果和安全性. 方法 2003年3月～2006年7月,我院采用后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切镜治疗83例上尿路移行细胞癌.经尿道袖状电切患侧输尿管口周围1.5 cm范围膀胱壁达膀胱外脂肪组织,采用后腹腔镜切除肾及全长输尿管.术后留置导尿管7 d.11例术后辅助放疗. 结果 83例手术均成功.手术时间115～205 min,平均156 min.术中出血50～150 ml,平均80 ml.无术中并发症.术后住院7～11 d,平均8.5 d.病理报告：82例上尿路移行细胞癌,1例肾盂上皮中～重度不典型增生.术后随访3～38个月,平均10.8月.术后12个月内行膀胱镜检查发现膀胱肿瘤6例,其中5例行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切,1例行腹腔镜根治性膀胱全切术、左侧输尿管皮肤造口术.2例肾盂肿瘤（pT3 G3和pT2 G3）于术后3个月肝转移.2例输尿管中段肿瘤（pT3 G3和pT3 G2～3）术后6个月原位复发并肺转移.1例输尿管下段肿瘤（pT3 G3）术后6个月骨转移.失访1例.其余71例均未发现肿瘤复发、切口转移及远处转移. 结论 对于上尿路移行细胞癌,采用后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切镜行肾、输尿管全切及膀胱袖套状切除具有创伤小、安全、恢复快等优点,值得临床推广应用.     

后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌(附16例报告)

目的 探讨后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的方法和临床疗效. 方法 对10例肾盂癌、6例输尿管上中段移行细胞癌先采用尿道电切镜行患侧输尿管口膀胱黏膜袖套状切除,而后行后腹腔镜根治性肾输尿管全切术. 结果 16例手术均获成功,平均手术时间120 min,术中出血平均80 ml,患者均于术后36～48 h下床活动,术后住院时间8～14 d(平均9.4 d),术后随访膀胱局部复发2例. 结论 后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜根治性肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路肿瘤是一种安全、有效的微创手术方法,实用性较强,具有良好的应用前景.     

后腹腔镜联合应用膀胱电切镜行肾输尿管全切及膀胱袖套状切除术

目的:评价后腹腔镜联合膀胱电切镜行肾输尿管全切及膀胱袖套状切除术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的有效性及安全性。方法:对10例上尿路移行细胞癌患者行后腹腔镜联合膀胱电切镜行肾输尿管全切术,完整取出切除的肾输尿管标本。术后常规化疗药物膀胱灌注。结果:手术时间180~230m in;术中出血量80~200m l;术后8d出院,无严重并发症发生。随访2~24个月,无复发。结论:后腹腔镜联合膀胱电切镜行肾输尿管全切术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌,是一种安全有效的术式,具有痛苦小、并发症少及患者恢复快等优点。     

后腹腔镜联合经尿道输尿管口电切术治疗肾盂输尿管肿瘤(附17例报告)

目的:评估后腹腔镜联合经尿道输尿管口电切术治疗肾盂、输尿管肿瘤的临床疗效。方法:2008年10月至2013年1月为17例肾盂或输尿管移行细胞癌患者行后腹腔镜根治性肾输尿管切除术,其中肾盂癌11例,输尿管癌6例。经尿道袖状电切患侧输尿管口周围1 cm范围膀胱壁,采用后腹腔镜切除肾及全长输尿管,完整取出切除的肾输尿管。术后常规吡柔比星膀胱灌注。结果:手术时间平均(186.9±30.2)min;术中出血量平均(110.1±38.6)ml;术中、术后未发生明显并发症。术后随访3～51个月,1例发生膀胱移行细胞癌。结论:后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切镜治疗肾盂癌、输尿管癌具有手术损伤小、康复快等优点,且不增加肿瘤种植风险,临床应用前景良好。     

腹腔镜治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的手术路径选择

目的 探讨腹腔镜治疗上尿路移行细胞癌不同的手术路径选择.方法 将116例上尿路移行细胞癌患者分为A、B两组,A组为肾孟及输尿管上段肿瘤组,采用后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切的方法;B组为输尿管下段肿瘤组,6例输尿管局部浸润的患者列入本组,采用70°斜侧卧位经腹腔途径肾、输尿管切除并膀胱袖状切除.结果 116例手术均获成功,无术中并发症.A组手术时间平均125.5 min,术中出血平均60 ml,术后24～48 h胃肠功能恢复;术后住院时间平均7 d;B组手术时间平均140.6 min,术中出血平均96 ml,术后24～72 h胃肠功能恢复;术后住院时间平均7.5 d.有90例患者获得随访,平均随访时间27个月,未发现切口及穿刺孔种植转移,但有10例行膀胱镜检查发现膀胱肿瘤.结论 腹腔镜肾、输尿管全切和膀胱袖状切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌符合肿瘤治疗原则,安全可行.应根据肿瘤的位置来决定手术方式的采用.     

腹腔镜与开放手术治疗上尿路移行上皮肿瘤的远期疗效比较

目的：比较后腹腔镜下与开放性肾、输尿管及膀胱袖状切除术治疗上尿路移行上皮肿瘤的远期临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析48例行后腹腔镜下肾、输尿管及膀胱袖状切除术及55例行开放性肾、输尿管及膀胱袖状切除术患者的临床资料,比较两种术式术中、术后各种参数的差异。结果：后腹腔镜组与开放手术组患者在性别、年龄、肿瘤位置、及肿瘤分期上的差异无统计学意义。后腹腔镜组在术中估计出血量、术后住院时间等方面明显优于开放组（P〈0．05）。术后平均随访26．4个月,后腹腔镜组与开放组总生存率分别为79．17％、85．19％,疾病特异生存率分别为91．67％、94．44％,组间差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。两组无瘤复发生存率分别为79．17％、72．22％,两组膀胱无复发生存率分别为79．17％、79．63％,组间差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：与传统开放手术相比,后腹腔镜下手术具有出血少、创伤小、患者痛苦少、恢复快、住院时间短等特点,并且二种手术方式具有相同的远期疗效。     

后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜行肾盂癌根治术

目的探讨后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜在。肾盂癌根治术中的应用。方法采用腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜，经腹膜后途径，对25例肾盂癌患者行肾、输尿管、膀胱部分切除术。结果25例均获得成功，手术时间150-255min，平均200min，术中及术后无明显并发症发生，术后平均住院4．8d，随访5—38个月，4例肿瘤复发。结论后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜治疗肾盂癌具有损伤小、恢复快、对腹腔干扰少的特点，是一种微创、安全有效的治疗方法。     

腹腔镜手术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌不同路径的选择和应用

目的 比较腹腔镜下手术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的不同路径、输尿管处理方法及其适应证. 方法 94例上尿路移行细胞癌患者,均行肾、输尿管切除并膀胱袖状切除.分2组:①A组63例,为肾盂及输尿管上段肿瘤患者,采用后腹腔镜联合经尿道电切法;②B组31例,为输尿管中下段肿瘤患者及6例输尿管局部浸润患者,采用70°斜卧位经腹腔途径.观察2组手术时间、术中出血量,术后肠道功能恢复时间及术后并发症等. 结果 94例手术均成功,无术中并发症.2组平均手术时间分别为156和161 min,平均术中出血量分别为80和86 ml,术后胃肠功能恢复时间分别为24～48和24~72 h,术后平均住院时间分别为8.0和8.5 d.A组发生尿外渗2例,放置腹膜后引流管7 d愈合;形成尿囊肿1例,B超引导下穿刺引流治愈.84例获随访,平均随访23个月.2组分别有3例和5例膀胱镜检查发现膀胱肿瘤,2组均无切口及穿刺孔种植转移. 结论 腹腔镜下肾、输尿管全切和膀胱袖状切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌安全可行,应根据肿瘤位置和是否发生局部浸润来选择手术方式.     

Comparison of Oncologic Outcomes for Open and Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 1249 Cases

Background

Data regarding the oncologic efficacy of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) compared to open nephroureterectomy (ONU) are scarce.

Objective

We compared recurrence and cause-specific mortality rates of ONU and LNU.

Design, setting, and participants

Thirteen centers from three continents contributed data on 1249 patients with nonmetastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Measurements

Univariable and multivariable survival models tested the effect of procedure type (ONU [n = 979] vs LNU [n = 270]) on cancer recurrence and cancer-specific mortality. Covariables consisted of institution, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score, pT stage, pN stage, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, tumor location, concomitant carcinoma in situ, ureteral cuff management, previous urothelial bladder cancer, and previous endoscopic treatment.

Results and limitations

Median follow-up for censored cases was 49 mo (mean: 62). Relative to ONU, LNU patients had more favorable pathologic stages (pT0/Ta/Tis: 38.1% vs 20.8%, p < 0.001) and less lymphovascular invasion (14.8% vs 21.3%, p = 0.02) and less frequently had tumors located in the ureter (64.5 vs 71.1%, p = 0.04). In univariable recurrence and cancer-specific mortality models, ONU was associated with higher cancer recurrence and mortality rates compared to LNU (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.1 [p < 0.001] and 2.0 [p = 0.008], respectively). After adjustment for all covariates, ONU and LNU had no residual effect on cancer recurrence and mortality (p = 0.1 for both).

Conclusions

Short-term oncologic data on LNU are comparable to ONU. Since LNU was selectively performed in favorable-risk patients, we cannot state with certainty that ONU and LNU have the same oncologic efficacy in poor-risk patients. Long-term follow-up data and morbidity data are necessary before LNU can be considered as the standard of care in patients with muscle-invasive or high-grade UTUC.     

The oncological results of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell cancer are equal to those of open nephroureterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare the overall, tumour‐specific, recurrence‐free, and progression‐ free survival of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC) treated with laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) or standard open NU (ONU).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical, pathological and follow‐up data were analysed for 43 LNUs and 59 ONUs performed at our institution from 1999 to 2006. In LNU the kidney was removed laparoscopically as in radical nephrectomy, but without transecting the ureter. The specimen was then removed intact with the entire ureter and a bladder cuff through a nonmuscle‐splitting supra‐inguinal incision. ONU was performed through separate intercostal and supra‐inguinal incisions with the entire specimen being removed intact with a bladder cuff through the latter.

RESULTS

The mean (sd ) follow‐up was 41 (20) months for LNU and 41 (29) for ONU. Pathological staging was: pTa 26% vs 20%, pT1 21% vs 27%, pT2 12% vs 17%, pT3 42% vs 34% for LNU and ONU, respectively. In all, seven vs six patients had positive nodes on final histology. Recurrent tumours in the bladder were detected in 26% of patients after LNU and in 27% after ONU after the mean follow‐up. There were no local recurrences after LNU but there was local recurrence in six patients after ONU. There were no port‐site metastases during the follow‐up. Five LNU patients and seven ONU patients developed distant or lymph node metastasis. The actuarial 5‐year tumour free‐survival rate was 79% in the LNU group vs 76% in the ONU group (P = 0.82). The actuarial disease‐specific survival at 5‐years was 85% for LNU and 80% for ONU patients (P = 0.62). The surgical approach did not influence recurrence or survival.

CONCLUSION

Oncological results of LNU and ONU are comparable. The lower morbidity of LNU offers advantages for the patient.     

Modified laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell cancer is not associated with an increased risk of tumour recurrence

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy reduces the morbidity of surgical management of urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), but a potentially increased risk for local tumour spreading was reported. We evaluated results obtained from patients undergoing a modified laparoscopic approach and open procedures in this respect.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and March 2002 we performed 19 modified laparoscopic nephroureterectomies (LNU) with open intact specimen retrieval in conjunction with open distal ureter and bladder cuff removal and 15 open standard nephroureterectomies (ONU). Staging lymphadenectomy was performed in 14/19 (73.7%) patients with LNU and in 6/15 (40.0%) with ONU. In all patients operating time, blood loss, complications, pain score (VAS) and data in respect to tumour recurrence were analysed. Mean follow-up was 22.1+/-9.2 (range 14-34) months for LNU and 23.1+/-8.8 (14-36) for ONU respectively.RESULTS: In LNU and ONU pathological features were 12 pT1 vs. 10 pT1, 2 pT2 vs. 2 pT2 and 5 pT3 vs. 3 pT3, respectively. All patients had TCC and were R0 at final histology. Four patients with LNU had lymph node involvement, one in ONU. LNU had decreased operating times (p=0.057), blood loss (p=0.018), complications (p=0.001) and VAS scores (p=0.001). One tumour recurrence occurred in LNU, associated with a pT3b pN2 G3 TCC at final histology. One patient with ONU had local tumour recurrence at the site of the bladder cuff. No port-site metastasis occurred during follow-up with LNU.CONCLUSION: Improved peri-operative results and same cancer control as compared to open surgery by this modified LNU was not associated with an increased risk for tumour recurrence, since strict "non-touch" preparation, avoiding of urine spillage and intact specimen retrieval prevents tumour seeding. However, results from long term studies are still warranted to clarify this issue.     

A comparison of the clinical outcome between open and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To report the surgical outcome of retroperitoneoscopic hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) with bladder cuff excision for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and to compare the outcome with that of the open procedure (ONU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to January 2003, 145 patients with upper urinary tract TCC were enrolled in the study; 87 had ONU and 58 retroperitoneoscopic hand-assisted LNU. The specimens were reviewed by experienced pathologists to confirm the pathological stage. Operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, bowel recovery, analgesic use, hospital stay and time to convalescence were compared for both groups. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The mean follow-up for ONU and LNU was 35.1 and 16.0 months, the mean operative duration 230.2 and 259.1 min (P = 0.006), the mean blood loss 747.3 and 408.9 mL (P < 0.001), the mean duration of Foley catheterization 6.8 and 5.1 days (P < 0.001), and the hospital stay 12.6 and 9.3 days (P < 0.001). The bladder recurrence rate 2 years after surgery was 9.1% for ONU and 8.6% for LNU (P = 0.23); the local recurrence rate during the follow-up was 3.4% and none, respectively (P = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Although LNU took longer than ONU the intraoperative bleeding and hospital stay were better than for ONU. Both procedures have statistically comparable bladder recurrence and local recurrence rates.     

Management of distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy--a comprehensive review of techniques

Approximately 5% of all urothelial tumors in adults arise from the upper tracts. While the gold standard treatment is open nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is becoming increasingly popular. Oncologic principles dictate that complete excision of the transmural ureter and bladder cuff and avoidance of urine spillage are paramount. This can be challenging laparoscopically and multiple techniques have been described. We review described surgical techniques, published oncologic data, as well as advantages and disadvantages for each technique including open excision, cystoscopic detachment and ligation, laparoscopic stapling, ureteral intussusception, transurethral resection of ureteral orifice (TURUO) and modifications of TURUO. To date, no controlled studies have been performed demonstrating one technique's superiority.     

Survival analysis in patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: a comparison between open and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stage- and grade-specific survival rate in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) after open (ONU) or hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) with bladder-cuff excision. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to April 2005, 143 patients with UUT-TCC were treated with either ONU or LNU and enrolled in the study. The peri-operative data were collected by retrospective chart review. The recurrence, metastasis and survival rate were calculated. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-specific survival of patients with pT1 disease was 88.1% after ONU and 92.0% after LNU (P = 0.745); the respective values for patients with pT2 were 11/17 and 12/15 (P = 0.874), and for pT3 were six/11 and 12/15 (P = 0.476). The incidence of bladder recurrence within 2 years after surgery was 24.7% for ONU and 19.7% for LNU (P = 0.475). CONCLUSION: The results were similar after ONU or LNU with bladder-cuff excision; bladder-cuff excision using a hand-assisted device is effective and serves as a treatment option for patients with UUT-TCC.     

Oncological outcomes after laparoscopic and open radical nephroureterectomy: results from an international cohort

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Despite widespread adoption of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) for upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC), few studies have confirmed that it shares equivalent oncological outcomes with conventional open nephroureterectomy. This second large multicentre study confirms oncological equivalence for ONU and LNU in cohorts of both low and high risk patients.

OBJECTIVE

? To compare oncological outcomes in patients undergoing open radical nephroureterectomy (ONU) with those in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? A total of 773 patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy at nine centres worldwide; 703 patients underwent ONU and 70 underwent LNU. ? Demographic, perioperative and oncological outcome data were collected retrospectively. ? Statistical analysis of data was performed using chi‐squared, Mann–Whitney U‐ and log‐rank tests, and Cox regression analyses. ? The median (interquartile range) follow‐up for the cohort was 34 (15–65) months.

RESULTS

? The two groups were well matched for tumour stage, presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS). ? There were more high‐grade tumours (77.1% vs. 56.3%; P < 0.001) but fewer lymph node positive patients (2.9% vs. 6.8%; P= 0.041) in the LNU group. ? Estimated 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was 73.7% and 63.4% for the ONU and LNU groups, respectively (P= 0.124) and estimated 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was 75.4% and 75.2% for the ONU and LNU groups, respectively (P= 0.897). ? On multivariable analyses, which included age, gender, race, previous endoscopic treatment for bladder cancer, technique for distal ureter management, tumour location, pathological stage, grade, lymph node status, LVI and concomitant CIS, the procedure type (LNU vs. ONU) was not predictive of RFS (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; P= 0.534) or CSS (HR 0.96; P= 0.907).

CONCLUSION

? The present study is the second large, independent, multicentre cohort to show oncological equivalence between ONU and LNU for well selected patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer, and the first to suggest parity for the techniques in patients with unfavourable disease.     

后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的临床价值——与同类开放性手术的对比研究

目的：回顾性比较后腹腔镜上尿路移行细胞癌根治术（LNU）与开放性上尿路移行细胞癌根治术（ONU）患者的临床资料,探讨后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路移行细胞癌手术的临床价值。方法：回顾性分析88例经病理检查证实的上尿路移行细胞癌患者临床资料,其中42例行LNU,46例行0Nu,采用t检验比较患者术中出血、术后恢复时间等资料,采用Kaplan—Meier法比较生存率,采用log—rank检验法比较组间生存率。结果：两组间平均手术时间差异无统计学意义,LNU组术中失血量、术后肠道恢复时间及住院时间明显少于ONU组,LNU组和ONU组5年总生存率分别为81．0％和73．7％（P=0．689）,两者之间差异无统计学意义。结论：后腹腔镜联合下腹部Glison切口治疗上尿路上皮肿瘤创伤小,安全有效,可达到与开放手术相同的肿瘤控制效果,可部分替代开放性上尿路上皮肿瘤根治术。     

Laparoscopic versus open nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and cumulative analysis of comparative studies

Context

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) has increasingly been used as a minimally invasive alternative to open nephroureterectomy (ONU), but studies comparing the efficacy and safety of the two surgical procedures are still limited.

Objective

Evaluate the oncologic and perioperative outcomes of LNU versus ONU in the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Evidence acquisition

A systematic review and cumulative analysis of comparative studies reporting both oncologic and perioperative outcomes of LNU and ONU was performed through a comprehensive search of the Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases. All analyses were performed using the Review Manager (RevMan) v.5 (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark) and Meta-analysis In eXcel (MIX) 2.0 Pro (BiostatXL) software packages.

Evidence synthesis

Twenty-one eligible studies (1235 cases and 3093 controls) were identified. A significantly higher proportion of pTa/Tis was observed in LNU compared to ONU (27.52% vs 22.59%; p = 0.047), but there were no significant differences in other stages and pathologic grades (all p > 0.05). For patients who underwent LNU, the 5-yr cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate was significantly higher, at 9% (p = 0.03), compared to those who underwent ONU, while the overall recurrence rate and bladder recurrence rate were notably lower, at 15% (p = 0.01) and 17% (p = 0.02), respectively. However, there were no statistically significant differences in 2-yr CSS, 5-yr recurrence-free survival (RFS), 5-yr overall survival (OS), 2-yr OS, and metastasis rates between LNU and ONU (all p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences between LNU and ONU in terms of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and perioperative mortality (all p > 0.05). The results of our study were mainly limited by the retrospective design of most of the individual studies included as well as selection biases based on different management of regional lymph nodes and pathologic characteristics.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LNU offers reliable perioperative safety and comparable oncologic efficacy when compared to ONU. Given that some limitations cannot be overcome, well-designed prospective trials are needed to confirm our findings.     

Oncologic outcomes obtained after laparoscopic, robotic and/or single port nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract tumours

Introduction

Open surgery (ONU) is still considered to be the gold standard approach for nephroureterectomy (NU); however, with the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive techniques have been applied to surgical therapy of upper urinary tract tumours (UUT-UC) and they are gaining adepts. However, several concerns still exist about the safety of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) in the treatment of UUT-UC, and different authors suggest that, although it could be equivalent to open surgery, this equivalence is not accomplished in all UUT-UC, suggesting that more advanced disease should undergo open surgery. More controversial still is the application of robotic surgery (RALNU) or really novel minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESSNU), for the treatment of UUT-UC. Although all these techniques seem feasible, their influence on oncologic results is still a matter of concern.

Methodology

We present a review on the oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of UUT-UC. We focus our analysis on oncologic outcomes and we also analyze the different techniques proposed for the treatment of the distal ureter during minimally invasive surgery for UUT-UC. In the absence of prospective randomized studies with large patient samples, we must base our conclusions on retrospective studies and longer follow-up.

Conclusion

Given the evidence accumulated so far, LNU has proven to be equivalent or non-inferior, in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) to ONU. Nevertheless, comparative studies are needed with longer follow-up before determining the equivalence of LNU in advanced tumours.