Laparoscopic assisted cryoablation of small renal masses

AimsTo review the current status of cryoablation of small renal masses and to preliminary report our experience at the AMC.Material and methodsA bibliographic search was conducted (PubMed/Medline/Embase) and the most important series were analyzed. Our series includes 13 patients with a solitary small renal mass treated by Laparoscopic assisted Cryoblation with fine cryoprobes (1,5 cm diameter). Postoperative follow-up was done by means of CT and/or MRI every three months during the first year and every 6 months during the second year.ResultsThere are no randomized trials comparing Cryoblation of renal masses (<4 cm diameter) with either radical surgery or partial nephrectomy but only case series. Complication rate is low as it is the recurrence or persistence rate in most of the series but one referring to radiologically guided Cryoablation (8%). The maximal diameter of the masses treated in our series were 3,2 cm. Tumors were approached retro or transperitoneally depending on their localization in the kidney. Average surgical time were 208 minutes (108-379) and average time of exposition to temperatures lower than –20ºC in the tumor periphery was 10 minutes. AT a mean follow-up of 8 months no tumoral recurrence were objectivated.ConclusionsCryoablation of small renal masses may be an acceptable alternative of treatment although mean follow-up is still short in all the series.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

目的 探讨后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的临床疗效.方法 肾肿瘤患者10例,共11个肿瘤.肿瘤位于左肾3例、右肾6例、双肾1例;肾上极2例、中极6例、下极3例.均经CT或MRI检查证实:肿瘤直径平均2.8(1.5～4.0)cm,远离集合系统,无远处转移.临床分期均为T1aN0M0.实验室检查Hb(137±21)g/L、红细胞沉降率(ESR)(27±12)mm/1 h、SCr(92±41)μmol/L、GFR(42±10)ml/min.均采用后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗.术中常规行穿刺病理检查. 结果 10例患者手术均成功,平均手术时间(101±31)min,平均出血量(42±21)ml.未发生腹腔镜手术相关并发症.术后平均住院(4±2)d.术后Hb(129±18)g/L,ESR(31±14)mm/1 h,SCr(95±39)μmol/L,患肾GFR(40±11)ml/min,与术前比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).病理检查,11个肿瘤中透明细胞癌8个、乳头状肾细胞癌2个、血管平滑肌脂肪瘤1个.10例平均随访16(6～21)个月.术后第1、3和6个月复查MRI,肿瘤冷冻区域呈梗死、无信号增强、逐渐消散等演变过程.术后6个月肿瘤冷冻区域活检1例阴性.无局部复发或远处转移病例.结论 后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤安全有效,远期疗效尚需进一步随访观察.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

Objective To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors. Methods Ten selected patients cases with 11 renal tumors were included in present study. There were 3 cases of left renal tumor, 6 cases of right renal tumor and 1 case of bilateral renal tumors. Tumors were located at the upper pole (2), middle (6), or lower pole (3). All tumors were located distant from the collecting system, without evidence of metastatic disease. Mean tumor size was 2. 8 cm (range: 1.5-4.0). All the patients were managed with a double freeze-thaw cycle of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. The preoperative Hb was (137± 21)g/L, ESR was (27±12)mm/1 h, SCr was (92±41)μmol/L, GFR was (42±10)ml/min.All the patients were taken routine biopsies. Results Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). The mean time of the operations was (101 ± 31) min, and the mean blood loss was (42±21) ml. None of the cases received blood transfusion post-operation. No operative complication was seen. The postoperative hospital stay was (4±2) d. The postoperative Hb was (129 ±18)g/L,ESR was (31±14)mm/1 h,SCr was (95±39)μmol/L,GFR was (40±11)ml/min. There was no statistic change of Hb, ESR, SCr and ECT-GFR after operations(P＞0. 05). The biopsy results revealed that 8 tumors were renal clear cell carcinomas, and 2 tumors were papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 1 tumor was renal angiomyolipoma. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesions. Follow-up biopsie of the cryoablated tumor site was negative in the only patient who have undergone the biopsy. No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no metastatic disease. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors could be an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications. Critical long-term data regarding laparoscopic renal cryoablation are awaited.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

Objective To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors. Methods Ten selected patients cases with 11 renal tumors were included in present study. There were 3 cases of left renal tumor, 6 cases of right renal tumor and 1 case of bilateral renal tumors. Tumors were located at the upper pole (2), middle (6), or lower pole (3). All tumors were located distant from the collecting system, without evidence of metastatic disease. Mean tumor size was 2. 8 cm (range: 1.5-4.0). All the patients were managed with a double freeze-thaw cycle of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. The preoperative Hb was (137± 21)g/L, ESR was (27±12)mm/1 h, SCr was (92±41)μmol/L, GFR was (42±10)ml/min.All the patients were taken routine biopsies. Results Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). The mean time of the operations was (101 ± 31) min, and the mean blood loss was (42±21) ml. None of the cases received blood transfusion post-operation. No operative complication was seen. The postoperative hospital stay was (4±2) d. The postoperative Hb was (129 ±18)g/L,ESR was (31±14)mm/1 h,SCr was (95±39)μmol/L,GFR was (40±11)ml/min. There was no statistic change of Hb, ESR, SCr and ECT-GFR after operations(P＞0. 05). The biopsy results revealed that 8 tumors were renal clear cell carcinomas, and 2 tumors were papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 1 tumor was renal angiomyolipoma. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesions. Follow-up biopsie of the cryoablated tumor site was negative in the only patient who have undergone the biopsy. No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no metastatic disease. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors could be an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications. Critical long-term data regarding laparoscopic renal cryoablation are awaited.     

Laparoscopic cryoablation under sonographic guidance for the treatment of small renal tumors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided laparoscopic cryoablation of small renal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven men and five women with solid renal tumors (mean size 2.6 cm) were treated using laparoscopically monitored cryoablation between October 2000 and October 2002. Nine tumors were left sided and seven right. Ten patients were treated retroperitoneoscopically and six transperitoneally. A double-freeze/active-thaw technique was utilized with two 10-minute freeze cycles. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 188 minutes. There was one open conversion for failure to progress. The mean blood loss was 40 mL. Tumor biopsy demonstrated five renal-cell carcinomas, two oncocytomas, and lesions that either were benign or were not biopsied. The mean hospital stay was 1.9 days with a median stay of 1 day. With a mean follow-up of 9.6 months, all tumors remain nonenhancing and are stable or smaller than the original lesion. Two patients have died of unrelated causes and without evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: This series of patients adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that cryoablation is a well-tolerated method for treating small renal tumors. Longer follow-up is required to fully define its place in the therapeutic armamentarium.     

Early experience with laparoscopic cryoablation in patients with small renal tumors and severe comorbidities

PURPOSE: To present our preliminary experience with laparoscopic renal cryoablation in patients with small renal tumors and severe comorbidities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with a mean age of 75.6 years (range 68-82 years) who had small (mean 2.6+/-0.7-cm; range 1.4-3.8-cm) peripheral renal cortical lesions and significant comorbidities underwent laparoscopic cryoablation with a 3-mm cryoprobe. None of the patients was considered a good candidate for extirpative surgery. Tumors were biopsied prior to cryoablation. Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography was utilized to confirm the tumor and to monitor the biopsy and the cryoablation process. RESULTS: Most patients had right-sided tumors, although there were no significant differences in the approach or outcome on this basis. Seven patients had intraoperative biopsies, and in all cases, good tissue samples were obtained. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The average blood loss was 102.5+/-123.3 mL, and the mean operative time was 120+/-27.8 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 2.9+/-1.6 days. Postoperative imaging demonstrated defects consistent with ablation of the affected area; however, a residual nonenhancing mass defect usually was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cryoablation appears to be safe for the treatment of solid or complex renal masses in elderly patients with severe comorbidities. Further studies are necessary to determine the long-term efficacy before this modality can be considered an acceptable curative treatment for small renal cortical tumors.     

Defining the complications of cryoablation and radio frequency ablation of small renal tumors: a multi-institutional review

PURPOSE: Ablative treatments (cryoablation or radio frequency ablation) for renal cell carcinoma aim to decrease morbidity by treating renal tumors in situ, eliminating the need for extirpation. These technologies have potential for complications previously unassociated with renal tumor treatment. We identified complications associated with percutaneous and laparoscopic ablative treatment of renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Groups at medical centers with reported experience with ablation of renal tumors were invited to participate in this study. Each group submitted retrospective data regarding overall ablative treatment experience and associated complications. For each incident the nature of the complication, its associated morbidity, the necessity and nature of any subsequent interventions, and the final patient outcome were evaluated. Complications were divided into minor and major categories. Data were collected from groups at 4 institutions with a combined experience of 271 cases. Of these cases 139 were cryoablation and 133 were radio frequency ablation. There were 181 procedures performed percutaneously and 90 performed laparoscopically. RESULTS: A total of 30 complications occurred (11.1%) with 5 major (1.8%) and 25 minor (9.2%) complications, and 1 death (0.4%). Overall 26 of the 30 complications (86.7%) were directly attributable to the ablation procedure. The most common complication was pain or paraesthesia at the probe insertion site. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation technologies appear to have a low complication profile when used to treat small renal tumors. The majority of complications are minor and require observation only. Further study and followup are necessary to determine long-term oncological efficacy.     

Robotic partial nephrectomy versus laparoscopic cryoablation for the small renal mass

Background

Open partial nephrectomy (OPN) remains the gold standard for treatment of small renal masses (SRMs). Laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) has provided encouraging outcomes. Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) represents a new promising option but is still under evaluation.

Objective

Compare the outcomes of RPN and LCA in the treatment of patients with SRMs.

Design, setting, and participants

We retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of patients with SRMs (≤4 cm) who underwent minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery (RPN or LCA) in our institution from January 1998 to December 2010.

Intervention

RPN and LCA.

Measurements

Perioperative complications and functional and oncologic outcomes were analyzed.

Results and limitations

A total of 446 SRMs were identified in 436 patients (RPN, n = 210; LCA, n = 226). Patients undergoing RPN were younger (p < 0.0001), had a lower American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p < 0.001), and higher baseline preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p < 0.0001). Mean tumor size was smaller in the LCA group (2.2 vs 2.4 cm; p = 0.004). RPN was associated with longer operative time (180 vs 165 min; p = 0.01), increased estimated blood loss (200 vs 75 ml; p < 0.0001), longer hospital stay (72 vs 48 h; p < 0.0001), and higher morbidity rate (20% vs 12%, p = 0.015). Mean follow-ups for RPN and LCA were 4.8 mo and 44.5 mo, respectively (p < 0.0001). Local recurrence rates for RPN and LCA were 0% and 11%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Mean eGFR decrease after RPN and LCA was insignificant at 1 mo, at 6 mo after surgery, and during last follow-up. Limitations include retrospective study design, length of follow-up, and selection bias.

Conclusions

Both techniques remain viable treatment options in the management of SRMs. A higher incidence of perioperative complications was found in patients undergoing RPN. However, the technique was not predictive of the occurrence of postoperative complications. Early oncologic outcomes are promising for RPN, which also seems to be associated with better preservation of renal function. Long-term follow-up and well-designed prospective comparative studies are awaited to corroborate these findings.     

Percutaneous renal cryoablation of renal tumors in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease

PURPOSE: We determine the feasibility and safety of performing percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumors in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 2 men and 2 women with von Hippel-Lindau disease and radiographic determined solid renal tumors were selected to undergo percutaneous cryoablation. All patients underwent standard preoperative evaluation. An interventional magnetic resonance imaging unit was used for probe guidance and ice ball monitoring. The cryoablation procedure was performed with a 2 or 3 mm. cryoprobe using a pressurized argon gas system for ice ball formation. The patients were hospitalized overnight for observation and discharged home the following day. A followup computerized tomogram or magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed at 1 week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and every 6 months thereafter, along with physical examination, urinalysis, serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. RESULTS: A total of 5 tumors were treated ranging from 2.8 to 5.0 cm. in diameter. All patients underwent the procedure without difficulty with 2 requiring re-treatment due to residual tumor for a total of 7 treatments. At followup from 2 to 23 months there has been no radiographic evidence of recurrence at the cryoablated areas. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumors in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease proved to be successful in this initial series. Although 2 patients had residual tumor after the initial cryoablation procedure re-treatment was performed with no adverse sequela. This minimally invasive therapy may allow patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease to avoid the necessity of multiple open surgical procedures.     

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy versus laparoscopic cryoablation for multiple ipsilateral renal tumors

BACKGROUND: Management of multiple ipsilateral renal tumors is a dilemma in clinical practice. The effects of minimally invasive nephron-sparing procedures in this group of patients have not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) for multiple ipsilateral renal tumors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between September 1999 and December 2006, 27 patients were treated with minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery (LPN or LCA) for synchronous multiple ipsilateral renal tumors in a single operating session at our institution. Fourteen patients with 28 tumors underwent LPN, and 13 patients with 31 tumors underwent LCA as the sole treatment modality. INTERVENTION: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative, and intermediate-term follow-up data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Patients in the LPN group had fewer tumors (2 vs. 2.4, p=0.04) and larger dominant tumor size (3.6 vs. 2.5 cm, p=0.005) in the affected kidney and lower preoperative serum creatinine levels (1 vs. 1.4 mg/dl, p=0.02). Compared to the LCA group, patients in the LPN group had greater estimated blood loss (200 vs. 125 ml, p=0.02) and longer hospital stays (90 vs. 52.3h, p=0.02). There were no open conversions, and no kidneys were lost. Complication rate, renal functional outcomes, and intermediate-term cancer-specific survival rates were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both LPN and LCA are viable options for patients with multiple ipsilateral renal tumors in select patients. Renal functional outcomes, complication rates, and intermediate-term survival rates are comparable between the two groups in this small series.