Retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy for the management of upper urinary urothelial cancer

Summary

Traditionally, transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract needs a flank incision to remove the kidney and a lower abdominal incision to remove the ureter and bladder cuff. We report the surgical techniques and the initial clinical experience of retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy for the treatment of this disease. Seven patients (6 males and 1 female; mean age 64.3 years, range 47-75 years) with the pre-operative diagnosis of upper urinary tract tumour underwent retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy. The operation was performed first by retroperito-neoscopic nephrectomy, dissection of the lower third ureter and bladder cuff excision were performed with the traditional open method. The whole specimen with intact urothelium was removed through the lower abdominal incisional wound. We have successfully applied this technique for six patients with urothelial tumours. In one case, this technique had to be converted to open nephroureterectomy due to severe perirenal adhesions. Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy needed a mean operative time of 275 min (range 235-310), and the intraoperative blood loss was minimal. The dosage of post-operative analgesics ranged between 0 and 36 mg morphine sulphate equivalents (mean 11.6). All patients could bend their body without difficulty on the third to fifth (mean 3.7) post-operative day. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 9 d (range 6-11). There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis at the follow-up of 6 months (range 5-18). Although it needs more cases and a longer follow-up to elucidate its real clinical value, our initial experience suggests that retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy is an appealing technique for the treatment of upper urinary tract tumour.     

完全腹腔镜下肾输尿管全切除术(附9例报告)

目的探讨完全腹腔镜下肾输尿管全切除的手术方法。方法该组9例。男6例，女3例。采用完全腹腔镜手术方法行肾输尿管全切除术。气管内插管全麻，侧卧位。首先采用3、4个套管经腹入路行腹腔镜下肾及肾周脂肪囊整块切除。然后将体位转成45。斜卧位，用超声刀将输尿管向下分离至膀胱壁外，提拉输尿管末段，绕其根部2cm切除膀胱壁及输尿管开口。用2-0 Dexon线缝合膀胱切口。将肾输尿管放入标本袋内取出。结果该组病例全部顺利完成手术。手术时间180-240min，平均210min。出血量150-250ml，平均180ml，无明显围手术期并发症。术后随访2-34个月，未见肿瘤种植转移及膀胱肿瘤发生。结论完全腹腔镜肾输尿管全切除术可进一步减少手术创伤，更加符合肿瘤根治原则，减少并发症。随着腹腔镜技术及设备的不断完善，该术式将越来越广泛地应用于临床。     

腹腔镜肾盂癌根治术19例分析

目的评价腹腔镜肾孟癌根治术并总结经验。方法2000年8月＂2006年5月行腹腔镜手术治疗19例肾孟癌（含8例手辅式）。其中输尿管末端经尿道切除17例，经手辅切口切除2例。同时期行开放性肾孟癌根治术30例作对照分析。结果腔镜组与开放组手术时间差异无显著（P=0．59），腔镜组术中出血量、术后肠功能恢复时间、引流管拔除时间、下床活动时间及住院时间显著少于开放组（P〈0．01），腔镜组术中、术后未发生明显并发症。开放组1例出现术后切口感染。随访1～61个月，腔镜组1例肺部转移，开放组1例出现肺部转移，1例腹膜后局部复发，1例发生膀胱癌。结论后腹腔镜结合电切镜行肾孟癌根治术具有创伤小、恢复快的优点。并不增加肿瘤种植的风险，有望取代传统开放手术。     

Retroperitoneal approach for laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with stripping technique: extracorporeal ligation of ureter and ureteral catheter

INTRODUCTION: The pluck and stripping techniques are used for lower ureter management in renal pelvic cancer patients. Herein, we report our experience of extracorporeal ligation of the ureter and the ureteral catheter through the trocar port, which differs from conventional laparoscopic ligation in the retroperitoneal space. This technique was selected to reduce the time needed for ureter management using the stripping technique and to provide secure ligation. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We performed this stripping technique in patients with T1 and T2 stage renal pelvic cancer without imaging-evident lymph node metastasis. After transurethrally placing a ureteral catheter, we resected the circumference of the ureteral orifice. After laparoscopic nephrectomy via a retroperitoneal approach, the ureteral catheter and distal ureter were ligated extracorporeally. The catheter was pulled to invaginate the ureter so it could then be pulled through the external urethral orifice. DISCUSSION: This technique of extracorporeal ligation ensures more a secure ligation of the ureter and ureteral catheter. This modified stripping technique does not require lower ureter management with laparotomy, and it is also useful in shortening the operative time. This method is effective for relatively early stage renal pelvic cancer.     

Robotic assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy -- first experience and the hybrid port technique

Robot-assisted renal surgery is usually performed transperitoneally due to more available space for excursion of the robotic arms. To our knowledge, we report the first experience with robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy using the Da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and a hybrid port technique. Robotic retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy was performed on two male patients. One 37-year-old patient had a painful non-functioning hydronephrotic left kidney and megaureter; the other aged 76 had a muscle invasive lower left ureteric tumour. Both the procedures were successfully completed with the robot without conversion. Mean operative time was 182.5 min and estimated blood loss 75 ml. Histological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnoses; margins were clear in the patient with tumour. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. We report the technical feasibility of robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy. However, as with all new technology, the benefits need to be further evaluated and proven before this technique can be widely accepted.     

Experimental laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: Technical operative steps

Summary

Ten male domestic pigs were subjected to laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The procedure entailed only minimal loss of blood. The renal pedicle was resected using Endo-GIA equipment. A bladder cuff was obtained using an Endo-GIA stapler, which allowed the progressive reduction of the operating time from an initial 120 min to around 60min.     

Initial experience with laparoscopic oophorectomy

Summary

Eight patients with advanced breast cancer underwent laparoscopic oophorectomy. Five patients were able to be discharged the following day. There were two post-operative complications.     

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: Japanese experience

In Japan, laparoscopic colectomy for cancer started in 1992. A national survey has revealed that, since that time, the number of cases that have undergone this procedure has steadily increased, and by 2007, there were over 9000 cases. This figure includes an increase in the percentage of more advanced cases, which has occurred due to technical improvements in lymph node dissection. A Japanese randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic to open surgery started in November 2004, with enrollment ending in April 2009 with 1050 cases. For this study, preoperative stage T3 and T4 cases were selected for inclusion, and D3 dissection was required. To assess the technical skill of surgeons, the Japan Society of Endoscopic Surgery established the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System to encourage high‐level surgical techniques. Assessment is conducted by reviewing unedited videos. The success rate for colon and rectal surgeries has ranged between 37%–40%. The Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System has contributed to the establishment of standard technical skills in laparoscopic surgery, the development of an educational system for laparoscopic surgeons, and a reduction in the number complications. Technical difficulties still exist in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, but with the technical progress in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the number of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgeries has been gradually increasing in number. A multicentric phase II study on the feasibility and long‐term outcome for stage I and II rectal cancer started in 2008. In this study, the short‐term outcomes including anastomotic leakage rate and long‐term survival, will be clarified. Combined with continuously improved technologies, training techniques and surgical standards, laparoscopic colorectal surgery is steadily progressing in Japan.     

完全性后腹腔镜下肾输尿管全长切除术治疗肾结核的临床体会

目的探讨完全性后腹腔镜下肾输尿管全长切除术治疗肾结核的可行性和安全性。方法选取该院2013年1月-2016年1月收治的肾结核病患者15例。其中,男12例,女3例,年龄36~64岁,平均47岁。所有患者根据病史、症状及术前辅助检查,包括经尿找抗酸杆菌、静脉尿路造影、CT等均确诊为肾结核,且经核素肾图检查明确为单侧结核性无功能或功能严重受损肾脏,对侧肾功能正常。术前常规给予三联抗结核药物治疗至少4周,确认无活动性肾外结核,红细胞沉降率恢复正常后行后腹腔镜下肾输尿管全长切除术,利用结扎夹或内镜用切割缝合器处理输尿管末端,实行患者不翻身情况下完全切除患侧肾及输尿管全程。结果 15例手术均获成功,无中转开放病例。手术时间75~138 min,平均109 min;术中出血量70~230 ml,平均157 ml;术后住院5~11 d,平均7 d。术中损伤肾静脉、腰静脉各1例,输尿管末端破裂1例,损伤腹膜3例,未出现术后切口感染及出血等并发症。术后继续抗结核治疗至少5个月,随访25个月,未发现结核复发病例,所有患者的尿路刺激症状消失,经尿找抗酸杆菌阴性,红细胞沉降率正常,复查B超未发现泌尿系统结核病灶残留。结论通过上述方法施行完全性后腹腔镜下肾输尿管全长切除术,无需改变患者体位及增加开放切口,创伤小,恢复快,安全可行。     

Laparoscopic near-total splenectomy: a single-center experience of a standardized procedure

Abstract

Background: Near-total splenectomy (NTS) represents an innovative and effective surgery technique for spleen disease, reducing the risk of severe infections and thromboembolic events after total splenectomy. The authors reported a laparoscopic near-total splenectomy (LNTS) surgical experience following the optimal results of the open approach, describing a standardized and effective minimally invasive technique with the purpose of preserving a minimal residual spleen.

Material and methods: From November 2006 to September 2016, 15 patients with splenic and hematologic disease underwent LNTS, according to a laparoscopic procedure developed by the authors. The end criterion was to conserve a remanent spleen of 10–15?cm³ in size.

Results: Patient age ranged between 18 and 59 years. Mean operative time was 70?±?20?min. Mean hospital stay was 3.46 (range 3–7) days. One complication occurred during the surgery for a lesion of the inferior polar artery with need of a total splenectomy. No conversion to open surgery was necessary.

Conclusions: LNTS is a safe and effective technique for the management of splenic and hematologic disease with a low intra- and post-operative complication rate, and it can minimize the late sequelae of secondary splenectomy. However, it requires further studies with more cases to evaluate its role.     

后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜治疗上尿路尿路上皮癌疗效观察

目的 探讨后腹腔镜联合尿道电切手术治疗上尿路尿路上皮癌的临床疗效.方法 2006年1月至2009年7月收治的15例上尿路尿路上皮癌患者,先采用尿道电切镜行患侧输尿管口膀胱黏膜袖套状切除,然后行后腹腔镜根治性肾输尿管全切术.结果 15例手术均获成功,手术时间120～180 rmin,平均150 min.术中出血100～400 ml,平均200 ml.肠道功能恢复时间为24～48 h,3～4 d内可拔除引流管.导尿管留置7～10 d,拔尿管时开始行表柔吡星膀胱灌注.随访1～40个月,平均10个月,均生存,1例患者腹膜后淋巴结转移.结论 后腹腔镜联合尿道电切镜手术治疗上尿路尿路上皮癌,安全、有效,且创伤小、患者恢复快.     

Laparoscopic approach in the treatment of splenic angiolipomatous hamartoma: the first report of a case

Angiolipomatous hamartoma is a benign mesenchymal proliferation of unknown aetiology. Only a few cases have been documented in the published literature. This current case report describes a 57-year-old female patient who was hospitalized for an assessment of a previously radiologically-verified splenic lesion and further treatment. The patient had been surgically treated 10 years previously; a lobectomy of the superior left pulmonary lobe had been performed in order to remove a verified tumour lesion. A complete radiological examination was undertaken, which verified a spleen of a size that was within the physiological range, with a centrally-located lobular tumour lesion. Given the risk of splenic rupture, as well as the fact that the lesion’s aetiology was still undetermined, and finally the fact that differential diagnostics indicated the possibility of a metastasis, the patient was treated surgically. Laparoscopic splenectomy, in the treatment of splenic diseases, even rare ones such as this, is not a novelty. Indeed, it needs to be applied as the standard approach, with the well-known benefits that the minimalized approach offers.     

Transumblical single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a simple technique: Initial experience of 33 cases

Abstract

Transumbilical single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a novel laparoscopic surgical technique for cholecystectomy utilizing only a transumbilical incision, which eliminates any visible abdominal scars and improves cosmesis. As the true single port laparoscopic technique, we presented an easy and feasible method for transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A total of 33 patients were presented for transumbilical single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A 1.5 cm incision was made at the umbilicus. We used one sterile glove and designed a simple method for this procedure. All the operations were completed successfully. The operative time of the first case was 189 min, the average time of the following two cases was 90 min, and the mean of the latest ten cases was 50 min. Operative blood loss was <30 ml for all patients. No drainage tube was placed and no postoperative complications such as bleeding or biliary leakage occurred after three to six months of follow-up. All the patients were discharged 24h after the operation. There were no visible scars on the abdominal wall at the second weekend. Transumbilical single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy by our designed methods was technically simple, feasible and safe. Furthermore, development of newer instruments, accumulation of experience and enhancement of operative technique may facilitate this new operative approach.     

完全后腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管癌根治性切除术

目的 探讨完全后腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管癌根治性切除术的手术方法及临床应用价值。方法 2003年3月-2005年12月对16例肾孟输尿管癌患者行完全后腹腔镜下根治性切除术。男10例，女6例，肾盂癌11例。输尿管癌5例。均因无痛性肉眼全程血尿就诊。经KUB＋IVP、CT、BUS、逆行上尿路插管造影及输尿管镜检诊断肾盂或输尿管癌。结果 16例手术均取得成功，无中转开放者，手术时间120～200min，平均150mill；术中出血60～120mL，平均70mL；术后住院天数7～10d，平均8d；术中术后无明显并发症，术后随诊3～30个月，未见局部肿瘤复发及膀胱内新发肿瘤。结论 完全后腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管癌根治性切除术方法可行，疗效肯定，具有微创、术后恢复快等优势，将成为治疗上尿路移行细胞癌较理想的手术方法。     

Initial experience in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for Japanese morbid obesity

Introduction: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in Japanese patients with morbid obesity. Materials and Methods: Between June 2006 and March 2009, seven morbidly obese Japanese patients (four women, three men; mean age 36±12 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 51±3 kg/m²) underwent LSG at our institute. The inclusion criteria were morbid obesity (BMI>35 kg/m²), the presence of obesity‐related disorders, and failure to lose weight while using other medical therapies for at least 6 months. The criteria also included contraindications for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or super‐obesity (BMI>50 kg/m²). LSG was carried out using endoscopic linear staplers from the greater curvature of the antrum 6–7 cm proximal to the pyloric ring to the angle of His alongside a 32‐Fr endoscope or a 45‐Fr overtube of the endoscope. Results: In all of the patients, LSG was successfully performed without open conversion. There were no serious postoperative complications and there was no mortality. The mean weight loss and percent excess weight loss after LSG were 33±8 kg and 47±16% at 6 months, and then 44±16 kg and 63±30% at 12 months. Due to the weight loss, the resolution and improvement rates of comorbidities in the five patients followed up for >3 months were 100% and 100% in type 2 diabetes, 67% and 100% in hypertension, 60% and 100% in dyslipidemia, and 100% and 100% in metabolic syndrome. Discussion: Although further long‐term studies are necessary with regard to weight maintenance, LSG is a feasible and safe treatment for Japanese patients with morbid obesity.