Hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HLDN) may have advantages over laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, such as shorter learning curve, operation and warm ischaemia times. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of HLDN. METHODS: Between January 2000 and October 2002, 50 consecutive HLDN procedures were performed through a low transverse abdominal incision, 23 right sided and 27 left sided. RESULTS: The median age of the donors was 44 years. No HLDN required conversion to an open procedure. The median operating time for HLDN was 153 min. The median warm ischaemia time was 3 (range 1.0-4.5) min and the median blood loss was 50 (range 20-500) ml in both left- and right-sided procedures. Eight patients suffered ten minor complications during their admission. The duration of hospital stay was 5 days for donors. Three recipients developed graft failure owing to acute rejection, renal vein thrombosis and ischaemic necrosis. CONCLUSION: Both left- and right-sided HLDN procedures were feasible and safe through a low transverse abdominal incision.     

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 live donor nephrectomy: report of 100 cases

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy is not yet widespread in Japan. After our first hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (HALapNx) in 2001, we report our 100 cases and examine the possibility of making this technique widely available in Japan. METHODS: HALapNx was performed in 100 cases (44 males and 56 females) from February 2001 through July 2003. The operative procedure for HALapNx was briefly described here. First, 2 12-mm ports were placed in the midaxillary line at the superior and inferior level of the umbilicus. Next, a 5-cm incision was made in the midline periumbilicus and the hand port system was fitted through the abdominal incision. After 10 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum, HALapNx begins with mobilization of the left colon. RESULTS: HALapNx was completed successfully in all cases and no patients required conversion to laparotomy. The estimated blood loss was 33.5 +/- 40.3 g and no patient required blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 168.8 +/- 47.6 minutes, and there was no major complication in a donor. CONCLUSIONS: HALapNx is technically feasible and may offer several advantages over open donor nephrectomy in terms of less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and minimal cosmetic disfigurement. In Japan, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is not yet widespread, possibly due to the need for surgical laparoscopic skills. We believe that the best way to make laparoscopic donor naphrectomy widely available is through hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery.     

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 radical nephrectomy: comparison with conventional open radical nephrectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (HALRN) with those of open radical nephrectomy (ORN) for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 130 patients with stage T(1) or T(2) RCC with a maximum diameter < 10 cm underwent radical nephrectomy by HALRN (n = 63) or ORN (n = 67). Data from these two groups were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Although the maximum tumor size treated by HALRN was significantly less than that treated by ORN, there were no significant differences in the remaining features of the two groups. One HALRN was converted to open surgery. The mean operative time for HALRN (273 minutes) was significantly longer than that for ORN (189 minutes), whereas the mean estimated blood loss (315 v 381 mL). There were significant differences in measures of postoperative recovery, including time to walking (1.4 days for HALRN v 2.2 days for ORN), time to oral intake (1.8 v 3.3 days), and time to grant of permission for hospital discharge (7.4 v 10.2 days). Postoperative complications were observed in one and four patients in the HALRN and ORN groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival rates in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the longer operative time, HALRN represents an effective, safe, and less-invasive treatment option for RCC. If performed for the proper indications, HALRN could achieve cancer control similar to that available with ORN.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy in a patient with renal artery aneurysm

Among the transplantation teams there is an increasing interest in laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy. For technical reasons, the use of the left kidney is recommended. However, considering the shortage of organ donors, it is likely that right-side laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy will need to be considered in selected donors, even those with vascular anomalies. Here we report the first case of right-side live donor laparoscopic nephrectomy in a patient with a renal artery aneurysm. Arteriography showed a 3-cm saccular aneurysm of the main right renal artery located at the bifurcation of the secondary branches and associated with an inferior polar artery coming directly from the aorta. The patient was placed in the lumbotomy position. An 8-cm midline incision was made above the umbilicus to insert the HandPort system (Smith & Nephew S.A., 72019 Le Mans Cedex2, France). Four additional trocars were introduced. Dissection of the renal artery was carried out beyond the level of relieving the aneurysm behind the vena cava. The main and polar arteries were clipped, and the renal vein was stapled. The kidney was removed through the HandPort and perfused cold ex vivo. The warm ischemia time for the kidney was 1 min, and the total operative time was 280 min. Vascular abnomalies were corrected ex vivo. The postoperative course of the donor was uneventful. At 6 months after transplantation, the graft function was normal. The hand-assisted approach is of particular value on the right side where the dissection must be carried out behind the vena cava. The HandPort may save few precious minutes over the sac extraction technique of the standard laparoscopic procedure.     

手助腹腔镜活体供肾切取术21例报告

目的评价手助腹腔镜活体供肾切取术(HLDN)的手术效果和近期疗效。方法回顾性分析2004年4月至2005年7月采用HLDN方法获取活体供肾21例的临床资料。供者男13例,女8例。年龄31～60岁,平均43岁。其中18例供者为血缘关系亲属供肾,3例为非血缘关系夫妻供肾。通过受者移植后肾功能恢复情况,评价HLDN的效果。结果手术皆取左肾,手术时间100～150 min,失血量30～100 ml。供肾热缺血时间2～3 min,冷缺血时间45～60 min。平均供肾动脉长度2.3 cm,静脉长度3.5 cm。HLDN手术全部成功,无中转开放,无手术并发症,术后6～7 d出院。21例受者肾移植后未发生肾功能延迟恢复,术后1周内肾功能均达到正常值。结论HLDN结合了腹腔镜活体供肾切取术和开放手术活体供肾切取术的优点,既保证了对供者的微创,又保证了供肾质量,有利于推动活体供肾移植的开展。     

活体供肾移植:手助腹腔镜供肾切除优于常规腹腔镜供肾切除

目的　比较活体供肾移植中手助腹腔镜供肾切除 (Hand -assistedlaparoscopicdonornephrectomy ,HALDN)和完全腹腔镜活体供肾切除 (Laparoscopicdonornephrectomy,LDN)以及对供肾者和接受肾移植者的影响。　方法　回顾总结 1996年 10月～ 2 0 0 1年 2月MountSinai医学中心所有LDN和HALDN的病例资料。 1996年 10月开始行LDN手术 ,1999年 6月转而行HALDN手术。　结果　与LDN组相比 ,HALDN组手术时间明显缩短 ( ( 2 11± 7)minvs ( 2 5 7± 5 )min ,P <0 0 5 ) ,术中出血量明显减少 ( ( 12 2± 17)mlvs ( 2 86± 33)ml,P <0 0 5 ) ,肾脏热缺血时间明显缩短 ( ( 10 6± 6 )svs ( 2 5 7± 8)s,P <0 0 5 ) ,术后淋巴漏和血栓形成发生率 ( 0 %vs 13 7% ( 16例 ) ;2 5 % ( 2例 )vs 6 8% ( 8例 ) ,P <0 0 5 )明显下降。　结论　在活体供肾移植中 ,HALDN似乎优于LDN ,但尚需要前瞻性对照研究予以进一步证实。     

Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy in comparison to open and laparoscopic procedures: a prospective study on donor morbidity and kidney function

BACKGROUND: Living donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a unique surgical challenge where surgery is performed on a healthy individual. A new hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (HARS) technique was compared to transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (LAP) and open nephrectomy (OPEN). The aim was to examine the perioperative and postoperative morbidity, and the effects of the different surgical techniques with regard to renal function. METHODS: Donors (n=36) were divided into three groups (HARS, LAP and OPEN) according to surgical technique. During the operations, renal function, hormone output, warm ischemia time (WIT) and operating time were recorded. Renal function, complications, convalescence and allograft outcome were followed postoperatively for one year. RESULTS: OPEN and HARS groups showed similar operation times: 150 (95-218) minutes and 145 (124-225) minutes, respectively. LAP procedures took longer: 218 (163-280) minutes. OPEN had the shortest WIT at 91 (55-315) seconds; LAP had the longest WIT at 207 (100-319) seconds, with HARS at 180 (85-240) seconds. In all groups, glomerular filtration rate and urine production were decreased during surgery. Endoscopic techniques had a higher catecholamine release, and OPEN donors showed higher serum aldosterone. Endoscopic techniques showed shorter convalescence and less postoperative pain compared to OPEN. HARS had a smaller rise in creatinine than LAP, and HARS recipients a better creatinine clearance than the other groups in the early posttransplantation period. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of HARS shows that the operation is quick, the donors experience little pain, and recovery time is short. The renal function for donors and recipients is somewhat favorable to open surgery and transperitoneal laparoscopic approaches.     

Hand-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE: We introduced and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of the hand-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic technique for living donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In December 2001, we started using the technique of hand-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (HLDN) in 10 cases. The procedure utilizes a hand-assisted device to increase safety and control of the laparoscopic technique. RESULTS: Only left nephrectomy was performed. The mean total operating and the warm ischemia times were 130 minutes and 3.0 minutes, respectively. Average lengths of renal artery and vein were 1.95 cm and 2.8 cm, respectively. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: HLDN is an easier procedure than the traditional laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy and can greatly mitigate the learning curve. HLDN has shortened warm ischemia time and operating time. It is also good for trocar placement, prevention of torsion of the kidney, control of potential bleeding at the final stage of vascular stapling, and kidney removal. Therefore, HLDN is a promising method for living donor nephrectomy.     

经腹腔手辅助腹腔镜活体供肾摘取术

目的：介绍经腹腔手辅助腹腔镜活体供肾摘取术（HLDN）。方法：供肾者5例，行经腹腔的手辅助腹腔镜活体供肾摘取术，总结手术方法。结果：平均手术时间116min，供肾平均热缺血时间2．8min，平均供肾动脉长度1．8cm，平均供肾静脉长度2．7cm。未发生任何手术并发症。术后7d供者恢复出院，3例受者术后第3－12天血肌酐恢复正常，2例受者发生肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）。结论：HLDN结合了单纯腹腔镜供肾摘取术（LDN）和开放供肾摘取术（ODN）的优点。既有切口小，痛苦小和恢复快的微创手术特点，又减少了单纯腹腔镜器械操作的难度，使外科医师更易掌握，显著缩短了手术时间和供肾热缺血时间，保证了供肾质量；同时有利于迅速处理一些紧急情况，减少并发症，提高了供者安全性和手术成功率。     

Comparison of open live donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy, and hand-assisted live donor nephrectomy: a cost-minimization analysis

BackgroundLive donor kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Open donor nephrectomy (ODN) was the standard until the introduction of the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in 1995. Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) was added shortly thereafter. The laparoscopic techniques are associated with increased operating room times and equipment costs; however, these techniques speed patient return to normal activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost of these techniques.Materials and MethodsA decision analysis model was developed to simulate outcomes for donors undergoing ODN, LDN, and HALDN. Outcomes were simulated from both the institutional perspective (IP) and the societal perspective (SP). Baseline values and ranges were determined from a systematic review of the literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test model strength.ResultsFrom the IP, ODN is the least costly strategy with a cost of $11,000, while the cost is $15,200 for HALDN and $15,800 for LDN. From the SP, HALDN is the least costly strategy costing $27,800, while the cost for LDN is $29,000 and for ODN is $41,000. In sensitivity analysis, ODN only became the dominant strategy if the days till return to work exceeded 58 in the HALDN strategy. LDN and HALDN were nearly equivalent as the rate of open conversion of LDN approached zero.ConclusionsHALDN is the least costly donor nephrectomy strategy, especially from the SP. The primary determinants of cost in this model are conversion to open and days till return to work.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy: surgical technique

Many centers have adopted laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) techniques for live donor nephrectomy. Currently, the majority of laparoscopic living donor kidneys are procured from the left side because of the longer renal vein and improved transplantation. However, indications exist for right donor nephrectomy. We present our technique of HAL right-sided donor nephrectomy. A key feature of our dissection is wide mobilization of adjacent structures to achieve good exposure of the right kidney and inferior vena cava. In addition, the use of the hand permits optimal positioning of the kidney for division of the renal vessels with the vascular stapler. At the time of division of the renal vein, the stapler is placed on the wall of the inferior vena cava in order to gain maximal length. This technique has allowed HAL right-sided donor nephrectomy to be performed safely when indicated.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a low rate of complications

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with a higher incidence of ureteral complications. Hand-assisted dissection minimizes the use of instruments for intraoperative retraction and handling of periureteric tissue, and may reduce posttransplant complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, in particular ureteral complications. METHODS: Records of 143 kidney transplant recipients who received allografts removed using the hand-assisted laparoscopic technique were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Total operating time was 2.0 +/- 0.55 (range 1.08-4) hours. Warm ischemia time was 1.45 +/- 0.60 (range 0.58-3.00) minutes. Length of artery, vein, and ureter was 2.4 +/- 0.5 cm, 3.0 +/- 0.5 cm, and 10.3 +/- 2.1 cm, respectively. Estimated blood loss averaged 86.3 +/- 55.6 mL. Intraoperative suction was not needed in 65% of patients. Two donors developed incisional hernias and 1 had a postoperative ileus. Four of 143 (2.8%) recipients developed ureteral complications: reoperations for ureteral necrosis (1), stenting for ureteral stenosis (2), and urethral catheterization for ureterovesical leak (1). Graft loss in the first year after transplantation occurred because of renal vein thrombosis, thrombosis of revised arterial anastomosis, arterial thrombosis due to myocardial infarction, vasculitis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and chronic rejection. Delayed graft function developed in 3 recipients. The acute rejection rate was 14.6%. Mean serum creatinine levels at 1 and 3 years were 134 +/- 61 micromol/L (1.52 +/- 0.69 mg/dL) and 121 +/- 35 micromol/L (1.37 +/- 0.40 mg/dL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with a low incidence of ureteral complications; may reduce the technical difficulty of the operation and minimize retraction with instruments, resulting in fewer complications for donors and recipients; and minimizes donor blood loss.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy using newly produced LAP DISC: initial three cases

BACKGROUND: A new abdominal sealing device, called the LAP DISC, was used for the first time in hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (HALDN) on three donors. The LAP DISC is made of three layers of rings connected by a rubber membrane, which covers the peritoneum and abdominal wall. The upper ring can adjust to the surgeon's hand size for insertion. METHODS: The LAP DISC was seated through an approximately 7-cm midline incision under the xiphoid process. The laparoscopic port was inserted through the LAP DISC, and thereafter, pneumoperitoneum was established. Three trocars were then placed under direct vision. The surgeon's left arm was inserted into the LAP DISC and used for manual retraction, dissection, and hemostasis. In the three operations, the kidneys were removed through the LAP DISC. RESULTS: The total warm ischemic times of the kidney were 15, 8, and 4 minutes, and the total operative times were 323, 195, and 240 minutes, respectively. After the subsequent transplantation into the recipient, the kidneys produced clear urine immediately on reperfusion. The recipient creatinine fell to 4.2, 5.6, and 3.9 mg/mL on postoperative day 1. All three donors resumed consistent oral intake within 24 hours after surgery and returned to normal, nonstrenuous activity by postoperative day 6. CONCLUSION: The LAP DISC device is excellent for HALDN and may increase the number of surgeons and donors who select HALDN.     

University of Kentucky experience with laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy using two different techniques

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is becoming increasingly popular for its minimum donor morbidity and accelerated return to work. Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) may be more acceptable if the modified technique would offer easier performance. We compared our experience with HALDN and conventional LDN. From November 1998 to June 2004, two groups of patients underwent conventional LDN (n = 71) or HALDN (n = 12). Operative and extraction times, complications, and immediate graft function were compared. Mean operative and extraction times are significantly shorter in the HALDN group (206.7 versus 143.4 minutes and 225 versus 141 seconds). Two in the LDN group required open conversion (3%). Three in the LDN group showed delayed graft function (4%). Three in the LDN group developed graft renal artery thrombosis (4%). There was no ureteral complication in both groups. HALDN provides shorter operative and extraction times and better recipient surgeon satisfaction without increasing donor morbidity.