Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for complex renal masses

To determine whether the approach for partial nephrectomy is influenced by tumor complexity and if the introduction of robotic techniques has allowed us to treat more complex tumors minimally invasively. Data from 292 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal masses from November 1999 to July 2013 at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively reviewed. Nephrometry scores and perioperative outcomes were stratified based on when robotic techniques were introduced. Mean follow-up time was 2.6 years. Preoperative RENAL nephrometry scores and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Of the 292 patients, 31.5 % underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, 46.2 % laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and 22.9 % open partial nephrectomy. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy mean nephrometry score was significantly higher than laparoscopic and equivalent to open. Significant perioperative differences were estimated blood loss (p = 0.0001), length of stay (p = 0.0001) and Clavien score (p = 0.0069), all favoring robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Limitations include retrospective design and single center data. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is a safe and effective surgical modality that allows for complex renal tumors that were previously reserved for open partial nephrectomy in the pure laparoscopic era to be managed with a minimally invasive approach.     

Patients with pT1 renal cell carcinoma who die from disease after nephrectomy may have unrecognized renal sinus fat invasion

Prior studies suggest that the renal sinus permits early tumor spread in otherwise localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors. We hypothesized that renal sinus fat invasion may be unrecognized in pT1 patients who subsequently die from RCC. Between 1985 and 2002, we identified 577 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for localized pT1 clear cell RCC as reviewed by a single urologic pathologist (J.C.C.). Among these patients, 49 died from RCC including 33 who had their original nephrectomy specimen stored in formalin. These specimens were then resectioned with thin cuts of the renal sinus and reviewed by the same pathologist. For comparison, 33 patients who did not die from RCC (controls) also had their original nephrectomy specimen resectioned. Among the 33 patients who died from seemingly localized RCC, 14 (42%) had previously unrecognized renal sinus fat invasion compared with 2 (6%) of the controls (P<0.001). In addition, 19 (58%) patients who died from RCC had renal sinus small vein (microscopic venous) invasion, a pathologic feature not currently incorporated into the TNM staging system for RCC. This feature was present in 7 (21%) of the controls (P=0.003). In total, 22 (67%) patients who died from RCC had unrecognized renal sinus fat or small vein invasion compared with 7 (21%) of the controls (P<0.001). We conclude that renal sinus fat invasion is an important adverse pathologic feature that is clearly underreported in the literature. Appropriate assessment of nephrectomy specimens should include proper sampling of the renal sinus even for seemingly localized tumors.     

Race effects on pathological and functional outcomes after robotic partial nephrectomy in a single academic tertiary care center

To explore the potential effects of race on pathological outcomes of renal tumor and on kidney function preservation in the patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) at our center. Retrospective review of our institutional review board approved database for African-American (AA) patients undergoing RPN from 2006 to 2014 was performed. AA and non-AA groups were compared with regards to demographics, tumor characteristics, functional data and, oncological outcomes. For functional outcomes, groups were matched (1:1) in terms of age, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and R.E.N.A.L score. From the total of 1005 patients, 84 were AA. Age and the tumor size were comparable between the two groups (2.7 vs. 3 cm; p = 0.29). Proportion of patients with papillary RCC was higher among AAs compared to non-AAs (43.3 vs. 19.4 %; p < 0.001). After matching AA patients with non-AA counterparts (1:1 matching), eGFR preservation at latest follow up after surgery was comparable between groups (84.3 vs. 85 %; p = 0.25). AA race (OR 3.62, p < 0.001), male gender (OR 2.05, p < 0.001) and low preoperative eGFR (OR 0.97, p < 0.001) were predictors of papillary RCC on multivariate analyses. The incidence of papillary RCC is higher in AA patients undergoing RPN. There was no difference in kidney function recovery after robotic partial nephrectomy in both AA and non-AA groups. AA race itself is not a significant factor in determining renal malignancy. Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of higher prevalence of papillary tumors in AA group in terms of long-term oncological and functional outcomes.     

Paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with adverse prognosis among patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing nephrectomy

Objectives

To analyze the association of paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) with progression-free (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) among patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing nephrectomy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 2865 patients undergoing nephrectomy for localized RCC at Mayo Clinic from 1990 to 2010. PNS analyzed were anemia, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, recent-onset hypertension, and liver dysfunction. PFS and CSS were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method and compared with Cox proportional hazard models, unadjusted and adjusted for clinicopathologic features.

Results

A total of 661 (23 %) patients had anemia, 37 (1 %) had polycythemia, 177 (9 %) had hypercalcemia, 51 (2 %) had recent-onset hypertension, and 224 (10 %) had liver dysfunction at time of nephrectomy. Patients with PNS were more likely to have high-grade tumors and advanced disease stages. A total of 675 (24 %) patients developed progression and 1171 (41 %) died of RCC, over a median follow-up of 8.2 years. On univariable analysis, the presence of any PNS was associated with inferior CSS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.86, p = 0.007] and a trend toward shorter PFS (HR = 1.33, p = 0.07) compared with patients without PNS. Specifically, anemia, polycythemia, hypercalcemia, and liver dysfunction were each associated with inferior CSS and PFS (all p < 0.05). However, on multivariable analysis PNS (overall or each individual syndrome) did not remain independently associated with CSS or PFS.

Conclusions

Patients with RCC undergoing nephrectomy presenting with PNS have worse oncologic outcome than those with incidentally found tumors. However, the adverse outcome among PNS patients seems to be largely explained by adverse pathologic features of these tumors.

     

Long-term follow-up of ureteral stump tumors after nephrectomy for benign renal disease

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of primary carcinoma of the ureteral stump after nephrectomy is rare. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of ureteral stump tumors after nephrectomy for benign renal disease. METHODS: During a 16-year period, 318 consecutive patients underwent simple nephrectomy for benign renal disease (216 cases) or for donation (102 cases). Eight of these 318 patients diagnosed as having an ureteral stump tumor were treated by ipsilateral ureterectomy with cuff excision of the bladder. Pathologic findings, tumor stages, and clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: The eight ureteral stump tumors comprised; 6 transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) and 2 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The mean interval between nephrectomy and ureteral stump tumor diagnosis was 76.5 months. Six of the 8 patients had pyonephrosis and two renal tuberculosis as original renal diseases. Four of the 6 TCCs were stage T1 and 2 stage T2. There was no concomitant bladder tumor at stump tumor diagnosis. Hematuria was the major presenting symptom in 3 of the 8 patients and 4 patients were diagnosed by follow-up imaging study. Two of the 6 ureteral stump TCC patients developed bladder TCC during follow-up. The 5-year survival rate of patients with ureteral stump tumor was 37.5%. T1G1 TCC was associated with a better survival than T2 or G2 TCC. No ureteral stump tumor occurred in cases of donor nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate, that long-term closed observation is needed to detect ureteral stump tumor, particularly in patients that have undergo nephrectomy for a long-standing inflammatory renal disease such as pyonephrosis or tuberculosis. Hematuria is a major presenting symptom of ureteral stump tumor. However, a follow-up imaging study is also important for ureteral stump tumor detection. The prognosis is poor in cases developing ureteral stump SCC, bladder tumor recurrence, or a high-grade ureteral tumor.     

The Role of Laparoscopy-assisted Renal Autotransplantation in the Treatment of Primary Ureteral Tumor

Background

To evaluate the effect and safety of laparoscopy-assisted renal autotransplantation treatment for primary ureteral cancer (PUC).

Methods

Medical records of patients undergoing hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy–extracorporeal total ureterectomy–renal autotransplantation–pyelocystostomy (Lap AutoTx) were analyzed. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were assessed.

Results

Fifteen patients diagnosed with PUC underwent this novel approach. Three kidneys were abandoned owing to the detection of residual cancer on the renal pelvic junction, surgeon’s judgment on three severe atherosclerotic arteries, and palpable pelvic lymph nodes proven to be evidence of metastatic disease by frozen section analysis. Twelve patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 7.5 years) were treated with Lap AutoTx for PUC successfully. No perioperative mortality occurred. One patient with solitary kidney experienced delayed graft function that required short-term hemodialysis. Three recurrent superficial diseases in three patients were treated with transurethral resection. The mean ± SD follow-up duration was 12.1 ± 6.7 months (range 3–24 months). The renal pelvicaliceal system was easily examined by flexible cystoscopy.

Conclusions

Lap AutoTx is less invasive compared with the traditional two-incisional manner and can be performed safely even among elderly patients. Compared with other currently used therapies, this novel treatment can be used to successfully treat PUC with the added advantages of total resection of the ureteral lesion, preservation of the renal function, and simplification of follow-up procedures.     

Robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy

Purpose of review

Robotic-assisted renal surgery is being increasingly utilized; however, the majority of these are performed via a transperitoneal approach. Retroperitoneal robotic surgery is a relatively new technique allowing direct access to the posterolateral surface of the kidney, as well as posterior hilar structures. In this review, we summarize the most recent publications and review our experience of robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy.

Recent findings

The retroperitoneal approach has been successfully applied to robotic partial nephrectomy. The current series find this approach ideal for posterior and lateral renal masses, and technically feasible with the advances in robotic technology. The retroperitoneal approach has been shown to decrease operative times, narcotic need, and permit quicker return of bowel function. Furthermore, there does not appear to be any increase in perioperative complications using this approach. Since 2006, we have treated 68 patients using this approach. The mean age was 58.9 years, and mean preoperative tumor size 2.5 cm (range 1–5 cm). Mean operative and warm ischemia time were 125 min and 20.7 min, respectively. The majority of patients had renal cell carcinoma, with a 4.4 % positive margin rate. The most common complication was an arterial pseudoaneurysm in 3 (4.4 %) patients.

Summary

The limited data using this technique offer an encouraging outlook on robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy. The retroperitoneal approach permits direct access to the renal hilum, no need for bowel mobilization, and excellent visualization for posteriorly located renal masses.     

da Vinci-assisted robotic partial nephrectomy: technique and results at a mean of 15 months of follow-up

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is gaining acceptance as an alternative to open surgery for small renal tumours, although technical difficulty of intracorporeal suturing and concerns over warm ischemia time are limitations. Previous work has demonstrated that suturing with the robotic system is easier compared with laparoscopy. We believe the robot has an application and we report our initial experience in 10 patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Ten patients with small exophytic renal masses underwent intraperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy. Principles of traditional open surgery were followed and intraoperative ultrasound was used to define resection margins. The renal artery was clamped with laparoscopic bulldog clamps and indigo carmine was administered intravenously to detect entry into collecting system. Suture closure and FLOSEAL were used for hemostasis. Frozen sections were obtained in all patients. RESULTS: Seven men and three women, mean age 59 yr, underwent robotic partial nephrectomy. Mean tumour size was 2 cm. Mean console and warm ischemia time were 158 min and 21 min, respectively. The median hospital stay was 1.5 d. Pathology revealed renal cell carcinoma in eight, oncocytoma in one, and lipoma in one. All resection margins were negative. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 28 mo. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic partial nephrectomy is a viable alternative to open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in carefully selected patients with small renal tumours. The advantages of the robotic system must be weighed against its cost. Further studies will determine if reduction in procedure complexity warrants the expense of such technology.     

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for sporadic ipsilateral multifocal renal tumours

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Although laparoscopic excision of ipsllateral multifocal renal tumours is feasible, the average warm ischemia time is prolonged. Robotic partial nephrectomy in this subset of patients using blunt dissection to enucleate the tumour is feasible and safe. This study demonstrates further that robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy with a small margin of normal tissue is feasible and safe with an acceptable range of warm ischemia time in patients with sporadic ipsilateral multifocal renal tumours. This study also suggest that robotic partial nephrectomy for this particular group of patients may better preserve renal function compared to laparoscopic approach, however this needs to be confirmed with prospective comparative studies.

OBJECTIVE

? To report our short‐term results of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy for treating sporadic multiple ipsilateral renal tumours.

METHODS

? Over a 3‐year period, eight patients with two or more ipsilateral renal masses underwent nine robotic partial nephrectomies in our institution. ? We evaluated the PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores, intraoperative outcomes, histopathological characteristics, complications according to Clavien classification and renal function outcomes.

RESULTS

? In total, 19 tumours were removed from eight patients in nine procedures. Mean operative time was 199 ± 47 min (median 200; range 150–300). Mean size of the dominant lesion was 3.0 ± 1.1 cm (2.7; 1.6–4.8) and overall mean tumour size was 2.2 ± 1.2 cm (1.9; 0.4–4.8). Mean number of tumours removed per patient was 2.4. ? Median PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. scores were 7 and 6 (with the predominance of an anterior, non‐hilar position), respectively. ? Excluding the six off‐clamp resected tumours, the mean warm ischaemia time was 21 ± 9.2 min (21; 10–35). Mean estimated blood loss was 250 ± 154 mL (200; 100–500) and no patient required transfusion. There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery. One patient had atrial fibrillation, resolved with anti‐arrhythmic drugs. Mean length of stay was 4.2 ± 0.97 days. ? Sixteen of the nineteen tumours were malignant, most of papillary type and Fuhrman grade II. ? The mean decrease in glomerular filtration rate was 4%, with a mean follow‐up of 14 months.

CONCLUSIONS

? Robotic partial nephrectomy for sporadic ipsilateral multifocal renal tumours is feasible and safe. ? Off‐clamp resection of multiple tumours can also be safely performed in carefully selected lesions.     

Is there a role for partial nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma?

ObjectivesThe incidence of metastatic disease in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) correlates with tumor size. We sought to determine the incidence of metastatic disease by tumor size, and the utilization and impact of nephron-sparing surgery on survival in those with metastatic disease.Materials and methodsUtilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified 56,011 patients between 1988 and 2005 diagnosed with RCC. Patients were initially separated into two groups—those with and without metastatic disease—and stratified by tumor size. Cox proportional hazard modeling and Kaplan-Meier analyses were then utilized to evaluate the role of gender, age, grade, histology, tumor size, and type of surgery (radical vs. partial nephrectomy) on overall- and cancer-specific survival in patients with metastatic disease.ResultsEight thousand four hundred ninety-eight patients (15%) had metastatic disease. Four percent of patients with tumors less than 2 cm and 5% of patients with tumors between 2 and 3 cm presented with metastatic disease. Two thousand nine hundred fifty patients (35%) with metastatic disease underwent surgery (radical or partial nephrectomy). Seventy patients (2% of those undergoing surgery) had a partial nephrectomy. Those who underwent partial nephrectomy were 0.49 times less likely to die of RCC than those who underwent radical nephrectomy (95% CI 0.35–0.69, P < 0.001).ConclusionsAlbeit small, the risk of metastases in patients with small kidney tumors is distinct and should be considered in management discussions. Partial nephrectomy, when able to be done, should be utilized in the setting of metastatic disease.     

3D-printed soft-tissue physical models of renal malignancies for individualized surgical simulation: a feasibility study

To construct patient-specific physical three-dimensional (3D) models of renal units with materials that approximates the properties of renal tissue to allow pre-operative and robotic training surgical simulation, 3D physical kidney models were created (3DSystems, Rock Hill, SC) using computerized tomography to segment structures of interest (parenchyma, vasculature, collection system, and tumor). Images were converted to a 3D surface mesh file for fabrication using a multi-jet 3D printer. A novel construction technique was employed to approximate normal renal tissue texture, printers selectively deposited photopolymer material forming the outer shell of the kidney, and subsequently, an agarose gel solution was injected into the inner cavity recreating the spongier renal parenchyma. We constructed seven models of renal units with suspected malignancies. Partial nephrectomy and renorrhaphy were performed on each of the replicas. Subsequently all patients successfully underwent robotic partial nephrectomy. Average tumor diameter was 4.4 cm, warm ischemia time was 25 min, RENAL nephrometry score was 7.4, and surgical margins were negative. A comparison was made between the seven cases and the Tulane Urology prospectively maintained robotic partial nephrectomy database. Patients with surgical models had larger tumors, higher nephrometry score, longer warm ischemic time, fewer positive surgical margins, shorter hospitalization, and fewer post-operative complications; however, the only significant finding was lower estimated blood loss (186 cc vs 236; p = 0.01). In this feasibility study, pre-operative resectable physical 3D models can be constructed and used as patient-specific surgical simulation tools; further study will need to demonstrate if this results in improvement of surgical outcomes and robotic simulation education.     

Pre-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts tumor pathology in newly diagnosed renal tumors

Purpose

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts adverse outcomes after surgical treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, its ability to distinguish aggressive from indolent renal tumors remains unknown. We therefore evaluated the association between NLR and pathologic outcomes at nephrectomy.

Methods

From 1995 to 2008, 2402 patients underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for localized renal tumors. Of these, 2039 had an NLR within 90 days prior to surgery. Comparisons of NLR by tumor size, histologic subtype, and nuclear grade were evaluated.

Results

Benign renal masses had a significantly lower NLR than malignant tumors (median 2.92 vs. 3.12; p = 0.037) with the greatest difference noted among renal lesions >7 cm (median 2.79 vs. 3.87; p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in NLR among RCC subtypes (p = 0.002), with cystic ccRCC demonstrating the lowest (median 2.48) and collecting duct RCC the highest NLR (median 5.99). Moreover, there was a significant increase in NLR with larger tumor size and greater nuclear grade (p < 0.001). Specifically, in patients with ccRCC, an incremental increase in tumor size (≤4 cm = 2.80, >4 but ≤7 cm = 3.09 and >7 cm = 3.95) and nuclear grade (G1 = 2.68, G2 = 2.87, G3 = 3.48, and G4 = 5.18) was associated with greater NLR (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

An elevated NLR is associated with RCC pathology, higher-grade tumors, and more aggressive histologic subtypes at the time of nephrectomy. Therefore, NLR appears to be a preoperative marker of biologically aggressive RCC and may be useful in predicting malignancy and guiding management among patients with suspicious renal tumors.

     

Oncologic outcomes of patients with positive surgical margin after partial nephrectomy: a 25-year single institution experience

Purpose

To evaluate oncologic outcomes and management of patients with microscopic positive surgical margin (PSM) after partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

We reviewed our database to identify patients who underwent PN between 1990 and 2015 for RCC and had PSM on final pathology. A 1:3 matching was performed to a negative surgical margin (NSM) cohort. Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to estimate survival and differences in outcomes, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to estimate the Hazards ratio.

Results

A total of 2297 patients underwent PN at our institution, of which 1863 (81%) had RCC. Microscopic PSM was found in 34 (1.8%) RCC patients who were matched to 100 patients with NSM. Of these 34 patients, local recurrence (n = 4), distant kidney recurrences (n = 4), and metastases (n = 5) developed during a median follow-up of 62 months. Bilateral tumors/tumors in a solitary kidney (n = 12/13, 92%), and multifocal tumors (n = 7/13, 54%) were found in patients who developed recurrence/metastasis. PSM patients were at a higher risk of shorter overall survival (p = 0.001), local recurrence-free survival (p = 0.003), distant recurrence-free survival (p = 0.032) and metastasis-free survival (p = 0.018). There was statistically significant association between PSM and bilateral tumors, prior treated RCC at presentation and higher nephrometry score in multivariable model.

Conclusions

There was a low rate of microscopic PSM in our large cohort of patients undergoing PN despite tumor complexity. Higher nephrometry score, bilateral tumors, and prior treated RCC independently predicted PSM which showed worse survival, recurrence and metastasis compared to patients with NSM.

     

良性占位性病变误诊为肾癌的原因分析

目的　提高肾脏良恶性占位的诊断水平 ,降低误诊率。　方法　肾占位性病变患者 12例 ,年龄 35～ 6 9岁 ,平均 5 2岁。腰部胀痛不适 9例 ,其中 2例伴全程血尿 ;体检超声偶然发现肾脏占位 3例。术前均行超声、CT等影像学检查诊断为肾癌。　结果　 12例患者均手术治疗。术中行冰冻病理检查 7例 ,提示为肾脏良性占位 ,行肿块剜除或单纯肾切除术 ;按肾癌行根治术 5例 ,术后病理均为肾脏良性病变。随访 1～ 3年 ,无复发。　结论　临床医师不应过高评价CT及超声等影像检查的诊断学意义 ,对无法确诊病例可行手术探查 ,术中行冰冻病理检查提高确诊率。多数误诊的良性肾占位与肾癌的影像学表现不同。     

Determining the extent of cholecystectomy using intraoperative specimen ultrasonography in patients with suspected early gallbladder cancer

Background

Accumulating evidence and guidelines recommend extended cholecystectomy for T1b or greater gallbladder cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative ultrasonography of a resected gallbladder specimen (specimen US) for the determination of the extent of cholecystectomy.

Methods

We included 45 patients (34 women; median [interquartile range] age, 66 [57–74] years) who underwent specimen US. After simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a gallbladder specimen was examined to evaluate the depth of tumor invasion by specimen US and frozen section examination. With the results of those two examinations, the operating surgeon decided whether to perform extended cholecystectomy. The sensitivity and specificity of specimen US and frozen section examination in diagnosing T1b or greater cancer were, respectively, measured using permanent pathology as the reference standard. The surgeons’ final decisions were evaluated in the same manner as the intraoperative examinations.

Results

Among 22 patients in whom adenocarcinomas were confirmed, 17 patients had T1b or greater cancers. The sensitivity and specificity of specimen US alone were 81 % (95 % CI, 54–96 %) and 85 % (65–96 %), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of frozen section examination alone were 43 % (10–82 %) and 95 % (75–100 %), respectively. Except one patient in whom extended cholecystectomy was intentionally not performed, 14 out of 16 patients (88 %; 95 % CI, 62–98 %) who were finally confirmed as having T1b or greater cancers underwent extended cholecystectomy by the surgeons’ decision based on both specimen US and frozen examination. Out of 28 patients who were finally confirmed as having benign lesions or T1a cancers, 25 (89 %; 72–98 %) underwent simple cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

Specimen US was feasible to be incorporated in clinical practice. Although the diagnostic accuracy of specimen US alone was moderate, the combined use of specimen US and frozen section examination could help the surgeons make correct decisions on the extent of cholecystectomy.

     

Renal cell and transitional cell carcinoma in a Japanese population undergoing maintenance dialysis

PURPOSE: We verified differences in the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients on chronic dialysis for end stage renal disease with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and those with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data regarding RCC and TCC were reviewed in the medical records of 6,201 patients with end stage renal disease who underwent chronic dialysis between January 1990 and June 2003 in our 38 affiliated dialysis centers, and data were compared with those reported in Australia and New Zealand. RESULTS: Among the patients RCC developed in 38 (0.61%) and TCC developed in 16 (0.26%) during maintenance dialysis. The primary renal disease was chronic glomerulonephritis in patients with RCC (68.4%) and diabetic nephropathy in patients with TCC (43.8%, p = 0.002). Mean patient age at initiation of dialysis was 45 years for those with RCC and 63 for those with TCC (p < 0.001). Mean interval from dialysis induction to tumor diagnosis was 143 months for patients with RCC and 54 months for patients with TCC (p < 0.001). Of 38 RCCs 23 (60.5%) were incidentally detected by regular abdominal imaging examinations while painless gross hematuria was the cardinal symptom in 13 (81.2%) of 16 TCCs. Overall and cancer specific survivals after tumor diagnosis were significantly superior in patients with RCC compared to those with TCC (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively), and the cancer specific 5-year survival was 88.9% for RCC and 29.5% for TCC. In both cancers tumor stage significantly increased the risk of cancer specific death. Compared with patients from Australia and New Zealand, the incidence of RCC was higher and that of TCC was lower in our patients (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the Japanese population on dialysis RCC is more common than TCC. Since long-term dialysis is a risk factor for RCC, regular imaging examinations may have contributed to the favorable outcome of our patients on dialysis with RCC. In contrast, the unfavorable outcome of TCC suggests the need for effective diagnostic measures for early detection of TCC in patients on dialysis.     

Three-Tesla dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: a critical assessment of its use for differentiation of renal lesion subtypes

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) 3-T MRI for preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant renal tumors and RCC subtypes.

Methods

Sixty consecutive patients undergoing preoperative DCE 3-T MRI of the kidney were evaluated in this retrospective IRB-approved evaluation. Fifty-four malignant tumors and 17 benign tumors upon surgical verification were included. Relative enhancement values of complete lesions and the most enhancing part of the lesions (hotspot) were measured using four repetitions: precontrast, arterial, venous, and delayed.

Results

Mean relative enhancement patterns between malignant and benign lesions did not differ significantly during any postcontrast phase (p > 0.05). The highest mean enhancement during all postcontrast phases was identified in clear cell RCC followed by chromophobic RCC. The enhancement pattern in papillary RCC was significantly less than that of non-papillary RCC lesions. Arterial enhancement was an independent predictor for RCC subtypes (papillary vs. non-papillary, p = 0.008). The diagnostic accuracy for differentiation of papillary from non-papillary RCC based on ROC analysis was 76.4 % [95 % CI 62.2–87.2 %]; p < 0.0001.

Conclusions

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI at 3 T showed intermediate diagnostic capability for differentiation between papillary and non-papillary RCC subtypes but could not differentiate between benign and malignant renal lesions.     

Robotic partial nephrectomy: an initial experience in 25 consecutive cases

ObjectiveTo report our initial experience with robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in a series of 25 consecutively-operated patients.Material and methodsA series of 25 consecutive patients who underwent RPN from April 2010 to February 2011 were studied. We used the da Vinci S HD robotic system with transperitoneal approach. Total renal hilum control was used 22 cases and 3 patients underwent selective renal parenchymal compression with an ad-hoc device.ResultsMean age was 55.8 years (26-77) with a male/female ratio of 2:1. Mean operative time was 117.6 minutes (54-205) and the warm ischemia time was 20.2 minutes (9-34). Mean estimated blood loss was 440 ml (20-2000) and the mean tumor size was 3.25 cm (1-5.3). Five patients (20%) had complications, the most frequent being intraoperative bleeding (Clavien II). There was no conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery. Mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (1-7). The pathological study revealed renal cell carcinoma in 19 cases and benign lesions in 6 patients. There were no positive surgical margins and no mortality.ConclusionsOur preliminary results show that RPN is a feasible surgical approach in small-sized renal tumors.     

Does pure robotic partial nephrectomy provide similar perioperative outcomes when compared to the combined laparoscopic–robotic approach?

Laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy have become the preferred option for surgical management of incidentally discovered small renal tumors. Currently there is no consensus on which aspects of the procedure should be performed laparoscopically versus robotically. We believe that combining a laparoscopic exposure and hilar dissection followed by tumor extirpation and renorrhaphy with robotic assistance provides improved perioperative outcomes compared to a pure robotic approach alone. We performed a comparison of perioperative outcomes between combined laparoscopic–robotic partial nephrectomy—or hybrid procedure—and pure robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). A multi-center retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RPN and hybrid PN using the da Vinci S system^® was performed. Patient data were reviewed for demographic and perioperative variables. Statistical analysis was performed using the Welch t test and linear regression, and nonparametric tests with similar significance results. Thirty-one patients underwent RPN while 77 patients underwent hybrid PN between 2007 and 2011. Preoperative variables were comparable in both groups with the exception of lesion size and nephrometry score which were significantly higher in patients undergoing hybrid PN. Length of surgery, estimated blood loss and morphine used were significantly less in the hybrid group, while warm ischemia time was significantly longer. The difference in WIT was accounted for in this data by adjusting for nephrometry score. In our multi-center series, the hybrid approach was associated with a shorter operative time, reduced blood loss and lower narcotic usage. We believe this approach is a valid alternative to RPN.     

A comparison of pathologic outcomes of matched robotic and open partial nephrectomies

Purpose

Open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) are widely utilized techniques for small renal masses. The lack of tactile feedback and limitations of laparoscopy may result in differences in the surgical specimen that may impact oncologic outcome. We present postoperative pathological outcomes data in a cohort of patients matched for nephrometry score, tumor size, gender and age.

Materials and methods

We reviewed 81 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy between January 2003 and March 2010. Twenty-seven underwent RPN and 54 received OPN. Two OPN cases were matched for nephrometry score, tumor size, gender and age for each RPN. Postoperative pathological specimens were reviewed by a urologic pathologist regarding margin status, pathologic stage, histology, renal capsule violation, among other variables.

Results

Sixty-two (76.5 %) patients were found to have renal cell carcinoma on final pathology. Frozen sectioning with tumor bed sampling was intra-operatively employed in 70 cases (86.4 %). The overall positive margin occurrence was 1 of 81 patients, which occurred during an RPN for a hilar tumor and converted to radical nephrectomy to achieve negative clinical margins. Additionally, 14.8 % of OPN patients had renal capsule violation as compared to 3.7 % of RPN cases (p = 0.34). Importantly, the mean distance to the proximal margin edge for RPN specimens (2.77 mm) was equivalent to OPN (3.01 mm), p = 0.46.

Conclusion

When matched for nephrometry score, tumor size, gender and age, RPN produces similar pathological outcomes to OPN.