Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: the experience of the inexperienced

PURPOSE: We retrospectively examined the experience of novice laparoscopic surgeons performing hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The purpose was to determine if urologists with minimal laparoscopic training could perform hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies in a safe and efficient manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first six hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomies performed by four different urology residents at the Chicago Lakeside VA hospital were reviewed. The residents included three chief urology residents and one postgraduate year 3 urology resident. None of the residents had taken any laparoscopic course, and all had limited exposure to the hand-assisted technique. In all cases, the residents performed the entire operation. The patients were evaluated for operative time, tumor size, body mass index, and ASA score. RESULTS: All six procedures were completed without conversion to the open technique. The average operating time was 215.8 minutes, and the time from incision to organ removal averaged 140.8 minutes. The average estimated blood loss was 166 mL. Complications included an intraoperative diaphragmatic injury (recognized and repaired laparoscopically) and one postoperative ileus. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be performed safely and efficiently by urologists with minimal laparoscopic experience.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy

Introduction and objectivesTo present the number of cases of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. This study evaluates our results and difficulties of starting a progresive programme of laparoscopy.Material and MethodBetween november 2003 and november 2005, 35 hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies were carried out, of a total of 45 laparoscopic nephrectomies. 22 radical nephrectomies, 3 simple nephrectomies and 10 nephroureterectomies. The average age of patients was 66 years (47-89). On average, they were overweight (IMC 28,3), with approximately 38% being obese. ASA 2.3 (1-4). The tumors measured 4.8cm on average, and 80% of these were T1. In 28.6% of the cases, they had previously undergone abdominal surgery.ResultsOne was undertaken in 2003, 17 in 2004, and 17 in 2005. The surgery time was 140 minutes, 130 minutes (80-210) in radical nephrectomies, 135 minutes (120-150) in simple nephrectomies and 163 minutes (80-240) in the nephroureterectomy. Patients began an oral diet 1.7 days later, and were able to get up 1.7 days later. In the case of obese patients, they began an oral diet 2.3 days later and were able to get up (2.4 days) later than those non obese cases. (1.5 and 1.4 days respectively). The average stay has been 5.8 days (3-15). The average stay of the cases without complications was 4.2 days and those that encountered complications 9.7 days. In no cases was there a need for a blood transfusion. In 11.4% we had major complications with an average stay of 11.7 days. In 5.7% of cases there were reconversions, and 5.7% of cases were reoperated. 17.1% had minor complications, with an average stay of 8.8 daysConclusionsThe advantage of hand-assisted nephrectomy is that it allows one to begín a laparoscopy, with a reduced learning time, and with satisfactory results, allowing the incorporation of laparoscopy surgery in hospitals with a reduced annual volume.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy

Hand-assisted surgery enjoys the benefits of open surgery while maintaining the post-operative advantages of laparoscopy. Logical indications for its application largely include those cases that require removal of a large amount of tissue intact. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery may find application in complex procedures such as radical, partial and difficult nephrectomies.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy

The introduction of hand-assisted laparoscopy should benefit every laparoscopic urologist. Hand assistance will shorten the learning curve for many urologists interested in performing laparoscopic renal procedures, including nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy. Advanced laparoscopists will be able to undertake more challenging procedures, including nephrectomies for inflamed, infected kidneys and live-donor nephrectomies. A step-by-step approach is presented for hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: comparison to pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is assumed to be easier to learn than the standard approach and simplifies intact kidney removal. Herein we have presented our experience performing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) compared with contemporary pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). We retrospectively analyzed 55 patients who underwent LDN. Among the procedures, 21 were HALDN and 34 were pure LDN. We compared the two groups with regard to operative time, warm ischemic time (WIT), estimated blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative stay, and complications. For the HALDN group, the mean operative time was 191 minutes, WIT varied from 2 to 11 minutes, and bleeding estimates varied from 100 to 4000 mL. The overall complication rate of 28.6% included: vessel injury, urinary leakage, and paralytic ileus. In the LDN group, the mean operative time was 184 minutes, WIT varied from 2 to 10 minutes, and bleeding estimated varied 100 to 3000 mL. Three patients (8.8%) had complications including ureteral obstruction (n = 1) and vessel injury (n = 2). There was no significant difference between the two groups about the procedure and the complications. Our series suggested that HALDN and LDN were similar, with a tendency toward better results in LDN group, which also shows lower costs.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic approach to simple nephrectomy

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is commonly employed today for both malignant and benign renal conditions, yet the learning curve for all but the simplest procedures remains quite steep. Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) bridges the gap between standard laparoscopy and open surgery, allowing urologists to develop laparoscopic skills while offering the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Simple laparoscopic nephrectomy, performed for benign disorders, can at times prove to be challenging because of inflammation around the renal hilum. Meticulous dissection during HALN utilizing the intra-abdominal hand for tactile feedback, retraction, and blunt dissection may improve one's capabilities compared with the standard laparoscopic approach.     

手助腹腔镜单纯性肾切除术的临床价值

目的 :探讨手助腹腔镜单纯性肾切除术的临床价值。方法 :采用手助腹腔镜行单纯性肾切除术 7例。结果 :7例手术均获成功 ,无术中和术后并发症发生。手术时间 85～ 30 0min ,平均 2 0 4min ;术中出血 30～2 0 0ml,平均 85ml;肾脏大小为 (14 .0cm× 8.5cm× 7.5cm)～ (2 4 .0cm× 2 0 .0cm× 10 .0cm) ;术后住院时间 6～15d。结论 :对于标准腹腔镜手术有难度的单纯性肾切除术 ,手助腹腔镜单纯性肾切除术 ,是一种可以选择的新的手术方式。     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is the new standard of care for localized renal cancer. Hand assistance makes the procedure less daunting by providing tactile feedback. The authors consider the indications, contraindications, and technique for this operation, which provides the patient with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery while shortening the learning curve for the surgeon and allowing experienced laparoscopists to carry out more complex and challenging operations.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is the standard of care for the management of most renal cancers. The hand-assisted approach has bridged the gap between open nephrectomy and a pure laparoscopic approach. Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy allows tactile feedback, thus shortening the learning curve for some surgeons and allowing more experienced laparoscopists to perform more complex and challenging procedures.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The indications for partial nephrectomy are expanding as newer and more complete data come forth. A partial nephrectomy has traditionally required a generous flank incision. We report our experience using hand-assisted laparoscopy (HAL) as a less-invasive approach to partial nephrectomies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1999 and May 2000, we performed 11 HAL partial nephrectomies. The average age of the patients was 55.7 years, the average body mass index was 25.6, and the average ASA class was 2.2. The indications for partial nephrectomy were enhancing solid renal lesions (N = 9) and nonfunctioning renal moiety in a duplicated system (N = 2). In the majority of cases, access to the renal pedicle was obtained prior to the partial nephrectomy. However, in no case did the renal artery or vein require occlusion. Several excisional techniques were employed, but all relied heavily on the Harmonic Scalpel in conjunction with the argon beam coagulator. Different hemostatic agents were applied to the renal defect, including Surgicel, Avitene, and fibrin-soaked Gelfoam activated by thrombin. In several instances, pledget reinforced sutures were placed in the renal capsule to aid with hemostasis. RESULTS: The average operative time was 273 minutes, the estimated blood loss 319 mL, and the change in hematocrit 7.3 points. No patient required a transfusion, and there was one conversion to open. Postoperatively patients, required an average of 35.6 mg of morphine sulfate equivalent and 8.2 narcotic tablets, resumed oral intake in 1.7 days, and were discharged home in 3.3 days. There were no major complications and only two minor complications. Postoperatively, five lesions were found to be benign, four lesions were confirmed to be malignant, and two lesions were consistent with a nonfunctioning duplicated renal moiety. Specimen size averaged 180 cc, and the tumor diameter averaged 1.9 cm. There were no positive surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is feasible and reproducible. The surgeon's hand in the operative field facilitates dissection, vascular control, hemostasis, and suturing. Further long-term and prospective studies are underway.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Background: The hand-assisted approach to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) might minimize the learning curve and shorten both the operation and the warm ischemia time. Our initial results from hand-assisted LDN are presented and compared with data from the literature. Methods: From January to September 2000, ten hand-assisted LDNs of the right kidney were performed. Results: The median operation time was 140 min (range, 120--400 min), and the warm ischemia time was 2.5 min (range, 1--4 min). There were no conversions. Postoperative morbidity included one urinary tract infection. All but one patient returned to a normal diet within 48 h. Opiates were needed a maximum of 48 h. One recipient experienced initial loss of graft function as a result of unknown causes. Conclusions: Even at the beginning of the learning curve, operation time and warm ischemia time are significantly reduced by the hand-assisted approach, as compared with conventional LDN. apd: 3 April 2001     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

The resurgence of nephron-sparing surgery for selected renal masses has fueled interest in minimally invasive approaches. Several authors have shown that laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is feasible if two goals are met: resection of the mass with negative margins and control of bleeding. The latter is a particular challenge, but numerous options are available. The authors describe the operative technique and the available results of hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.