Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy: dilemma of the distal ureter

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy has recently emerged as a safe, minimally invasive approach to upper tract urothelial cancers. The most controversial and challenging feature of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is the management of the distal ureter. We review the most common methods of managing the distal ureter, with emphasis on contemporary oncologic outcomes, indications, advantages, and disadvantages. RECENT FINDINGS: There are currently in excess of five different approaches to the lower ureter. These techniques often combine features of endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open management. They include open excision, a transvesical laparoscopic detachment and ligation technique, laparoscopic stapling of the distal ureter and bladder cuff, the "pluck" technique, and ureteral intussusception. Each technique has distinct advantages and disadvantages, differing not only in technical approach, but oncological principles as well. While the existing published data do not overwhelmingly support one approach over the others, the open approach remains one of the most reliable and oncologically sound procedures. SUMMARY: The principles of surgical oncology dictate that a complete, en-bloc resection, with avoidance of tumor seeding, remains the preferred treatment of all urothelial cancers. The classical open technique of securing the distal ureter and bladder cuff achieves this principle and has withstood the test of time. Transvesical laparoscopic detachment and ligation is an oncologically valid approach in patients without bladder tumors, but is limited by technical considerations. The laparoscopic stapling technique maintains a closed system but risks leaving behind ureteral and bladder cuff segments. Both transurethral resection of the ureteral orifice (pluck) and intussusception techniques should be approached with caution, as the potential for tumor seeding exists. Additional long-term comparative outcomes are needed to solve the dilemma of the distal ureter.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While performing laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, different techniques are used for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. We present a series of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to August 2004, 34 patients underwent HALNU. The hand-port device was placed in a lower-midline infraumbilical incision in all cases. After laparoscopic removal of the kidney and ureter down to the bladder, the hand port incision was extended caudally to allow open cystotomy. Intravesical dissection was performed at the ureteral orifice, and the bladder cuff and distal ureter were removed in a traditional open fashion. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 317 +/- 150 (SD) minutes, but the median operative time was 247 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 252 +/- 146 mL. The mean length of stay was 7.6 +/- 6.0 days, but the median stay was 5 days postoperatively (range 3-25). The mean morphine equivalent required postoperatively was 33 +/- 22 mg. The time of Foley catheter removal ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean 6.1 +/- 3.8 days), with no cases of extravasation by cystography at removal. Within a mean follow-up of 13.9 months, no recurrence of urothelial carcinoma was seen at the site of the excised ureteral orifice. CONCLUSION: A HALNU utilizing an open cystotomy for removal of the entire distal ureter with a bladder cuff provides excellent oncologic control while not adding significantly to the operative time or the morbidity of the procedure.     

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and management options for the distal ureter

Radical nephroureterectomy, including en bloc excision of the ureter with a bladder cuff, is the standard treatment for upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). This procedure requires either a flank and lower abdominal incision or an extended flank incision. Laparoscopic surgery for TCC has been used at several medical centers; the most challenging and controversial aspect is the oncologically correct management of the distal ureter. We believe that the Cleveland Clinic technique of securing the distal bladder cuff intravesically while simultaneously occluding the distal ureter prevents tumor spillage and allows accurate and complete resection of the targeted ureter in a manner mirroring the open procedure.     

Modified transurethral technique for the management of distal ureter during laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy is a well established technique for managing the upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. However, management of the distal ureter remains a controversial issue. We describe a modified method of cystoscopic loop ligation and detachment of the distal ureter. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATION: We performed transperitoneal laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy in 13 patients. The lower end of the ureter was managed perurethrally using our modified technique. We circumscribed the ureteric orifice with a bladder cuff using a Collins knife. We ligated the ureteric stump via cystoscope to avoid urine spillage from the upper tract. We achieved the complete excision of the distal ureter with a bladder cuff in all cases with our modified technique. CONCLUSIONS: Our modified technique appears to be a simple, less invasive, and oncologically safe method to manage the distal ureter perurethrally.     

Oncologic outcomes of extravesical stapling of distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and oncologic efficacy of extravesical laparoscopic stapling of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy for pelvicaliceal transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with primary pelvicaliceal TCC and no history of TCC of the bladder or ureter who underwent extravesical laparoscopic control of the bladder cuff were compared with a similar group of patients submitted to the open transvesical approach. Operative results and oncologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Operative time, estimate blood loss, length of hospital stay, rate of positive margins, and postoperative complications were not statistically different in the two groups of patients. With an average of almost 4 years of follow-up, the laparoscopic approach to the bladder cuff was associated with an increase in the overall rate of recurrence and a shorter recurrence-free survival, although these differences were not statistically significant. Rates of local and bladder recurrence and distant metastases were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic stapling of the bladder cuff has oncologic efficacy and outcomes similar to those of the open transvesical approach. However, the laparoscopic procedure may carry a higher risk of recurrence and a shorter recurrence-free interval than the open transvesical approach.     

Two-micron thulium laser resection of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

The thulium laser (Tm-laser) technique has been used in the management of many urologic conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of this technique for distal ureter and bladder cuff (DUBC) excision during nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC). Fifty-eight patients with UUT-UC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy were included in this retrospective study. DUBC was managed by open excision in 24 cases, by transurethral electrosurgery in 17 cases, and by transurethral Tm-laser in 17 cases. Perioperative measures and oncologic outcomes were compared among the three groups. Furthermore, 11 human ureteral segments were collected to measure the burst pressure and show physical pressure tolerance, and six ureteral segments were assessed histologically to investigate the sealing effect. Operative time and hospital stay were significantly longer, and intraoperative blood loss was significantly greater in the open excision group than in the electrosurgery and Tm-laser groups (P?<?0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in these parameters between the electrosurgery and Tm-laser groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the incidences of bladder tumors and retroperitoneal recurrence of urothelial carcinoma among the three groups. The coagulation time and resection time were significantly shorter in the Tm-laser group than in the electrosurgery group. The mean burst pressure did not differ significantly between the tissues sealed by electrosurgery and by Tm-laser. Histopathological analyses showed that distal ureters were completely sealed by both electrosurgery and Tm-laser. The Tm-laser technique is superior to open excision and comparable to transurethral electrosurgery in the management of DUBC during nephroureterectomy for UUT-UC, offering an alternative treatment option for this condition.     

Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with pluck method for distal ureter resection

ObjectiveTo report the oncologic outcomes of upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and pluck method for distal ureter resection.Materials and methodsBetween May 2004 and November 2015, 118 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma received laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with endoscopic bladder cuff excision at our institution. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively for clinical and pathological results. Cox regression analyses were performed on factors related to oncological outcomes.ResultsThe median follow-up was 26 months. Bladder recurrence was found in 27 patients (22.9%), extravesical retroperitoneal recurrence in four patients (3.4%), and metastases in 17 patients (14.4%). Multivariate analyses showed that male sex was associated with higher bladder recurrence [odds ratio (OR) = 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–4.78; p = 0.045)], tumor size had significant correlation with locoregional recurrence (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07–3.43; p = 0.029), tumor stage was significantly correlated with subsequent metastasis (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.21–3.56; p = 0.008) and overall survival (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06–3.22 ; p = 0.031), and tumor size correlated significantly with cancer-specific survival (OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.16–5.72; p = 0.021).ConclusionsTumor size and tumor stage were significantly associated with survival (cancer-specific and overall survival) in patients receiving nephroureterectomy with pluck method.     

经尿道钬激光、电切及开放手术处理膀胱袖套-输尿管下段的对照研究

目的 评估钬激光、电切及开放手术在上尿路上皮性恶性肿瘤根治术中袖套状切除膀胱-输尿管下段的临床疗效. 方法 回顾性分析2000年1月至2010年12月162例肾盂癌、中上段输尿管癌患者的资料.肾及近端输尿管切除术采用开放或后腹腔镜法.袖套状切除膀胱-输尿管下段分别采用钬激光(A组)32例、电切(B组)51例及开放手术(C组)79例.经尿道手术组术中插入5F输尿管气囊导管以阻断尿流.病理诊断均为肾盂和(或)输尿管上皮癌,病理分期为T(4)NoM0 ～T4N0M0.对3组围手术期指标(手术时间、术中失血量、术中并发症、术后住院时间等)和术后随访结果(肿瘤复发率、肿瘤种植发生率、患者生存率等)进行对照研究.术后随访3个月～8年. 结果 A、B组手术时间[(203.6±31.5),(207.2±24.3) min]、术中失血量[(127.4±63.2),(135.0±82.7) ml]、术后住院时间[(5.8±1.3),(5.6±1.2)d]显著低于C组[(248.0±42.9) min,( 484.5±217.7)ml,(8.7±3.5)d,P＜0.01].B组术中发生闭孔神经反射6例,膀胱穿孔合并较大出血3例,其中中转开放手术2例.3组术后膀胱肿瘤发生率(16.3％、18.1％、21.7％)、肿瘤种植发生率(均为0)、1、3年生存率(96.3％/90.5％、98.0％/88.6％、95.7％/86.4％)比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05). 结论 经尿道术式的创伤程度、手术时间、术中失血量、术后恢复时间等围手术期指标显著优于传统开放手术,膀胱肿瘤发生率、肿瘤种植发生率、生存率等与开放手术相当.袖套状切除膀胱-输尿管下段的手术方式与术后肿瘤复发率无关.钬激光袖套状切除膀胱-输尿管下段是肾盂癌和输尿管癌根治术中安全、微创的方法.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with cystoscopic en bloc excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff

Various hand-assisted and purely laparoscopic nephroureterectomy techniques have been described in the urologic literature. We describe a technique of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with cystoscopic en bloc excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff that duplicates open surgical excision of these structures and obviates bladder trocar placement and midprocedural patient repositioning. The patient is placed in a modified dorsal lithotomy position with the tumor side elevated 30 degrees. Allen stirrups are utilized to allow simultaneous access to the urethra. A transperitoneal hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is performed. The technique is modified in that the ureter is clipped prior to the kidney dissection to avoid distal migration of tumor cells during kidney manipulation. After the kidney is isolated, the intact ureter is liberated distal to the intramural hiatus. The remaining dissection is completed intravesically under cystoscopic guidance. While the surgeon's intra-abdominal hand places the ureter on tension, the cystoscopist transurethrally excises the bladder cuff and intramural ureter with a Collings knife. The complete surgical specimen is removed en bloc through the hand port. The bladder is not closed. A urethral catheter connected to straight drainage remains until the seventh postoperative day, when a cystogram is performed; if it is normal, the catheter is removed.