Radiographic vs surgical size of renal tumours after partial nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the radiographic with the surgical size of renal tumours selected for partial nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 50 patients undergoing elective partial nephrectomy for renal carcinoma (31 men and 19 women, preoperative tumour size 1.5-5. 2 cm) the maximum size of the renal tumour, as assessed from computed tomography (CT) before surgery, was compared with the tumour size at surgery. All patients had their renal artery temporarily occluded before surgery to shrink the kidney. RESULTS: After partial nephrectomy, the renal tumours were a mean of 0.63 cm smaller than the estimate from CT; tumours of >/= 3.5 cm on CT were particularly reduced. CONCLUSION: Incidentally discovered tumours on CT that are < 3.5 cm and favourably located are often selected for partial nephrectomy. If temporary vascular occlusion and surface hypothermia of the kidney causes shrinkage of most tumours of >/= 3. 5 cm, then surgeons might attempt partial nephrectomy in borderline cases, with a better chance of complete resection.     

Management of renal artery pseudoaneurysm after partial nephrectomy

Purpose  

Nephron sparing surgery has been established as a standard treatment for renal masses smaller than 4 cm in diameter. The benefit of nephron sparing surgery may be hampered by new types of complications. In particular, postoperative gross hematuria due to the formation of renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) can lead to clinical significant hemorrhage. We retrospectively investigated the occurrence of postoperative RAP in our own consecutive series of open/laparoscopic partial nephrectomies requiring transarterial angioembolization.     

Robotic partial nephrectomy for complex renal tumors: surgical technique

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy requires advanced training to accomplish tumor resection and renal reconstruction while minimizing warm ischemia times. Complex renal tumors add an additional challenge to a minimally invasive approach to nephron-sparing surgery. We describe our technique, illustrated with video, of robotic partial nephrectomy for complex renal tumors, including hilar, endophytic, and multiple tumors. METHODS: Robotic assistance was used to resect 14 tumors in eight patients (mean age: 50.3 yr; range: 30-68 yr). Three patients had hereditary kidney cancer. All patients had complex tumor features, including hilar tumors (n=5), endophytic tumors (n=4), and/or multiple tumors (n=3). RESULTS: Robotic partial nephrectomy procedures were performed successfully without complications. Hilar clamping was used with a mean warm ischemia time of 31 min (range: 24-45 min). Mean blood loss was 230 ml (range: 100-450 ml). Histopathology confirmed clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (n=3), hybrid oncocytic tumor (n=2), chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (n=2), and oncocytoma (n=1). All patients had negative surgical margins. Mean index tumor size was 3.6 cm (range: 2.6-6.4 cm). Mean hospital stay was 2.6 d. At 3-mo follow-up, no patients experienced a statistically significant change in serum creatinine or estimated glomerular filtration rate and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic partial nephrectomy is safe and feasible for select patients with complex renal tumors, including hilar, endophytic, and multiple tumors. Robotic assistance may facilitate a minimally invasive, nephron-sparing approach for select patients with complex renal tumors who might otherwise require open surgery or total nephrectomy.     

Increased use of antihypertensive medications after partial nephrectomy vs. radical nephrectomy

Purpose

A prospective study of partial vs. radical nephrectomy demonstrated worse overall survival in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy which appeared to be driven by cardiovascular outcomes. We sought to determine if the blood pressures or use of antihypertensive medications differed between patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy.

Management of locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma after partial nephrectomy

While partial nephrectomy can provide effective treatment for selected patients with renal cell carcinoma, postoperative local tumor recurs in approximately 10 per cent of the cases. We describe 4 patients in whom tumor recurred in a solitary renal remnant after partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 1 to 6 years previously. The original tumor was pathological stage I in 2 patients and stage III in 2. Neither of the patients with stage I renal cell carcinoma had metastatic disease when locally recurrent carcinoma was noted. A second partial nephrectomy was done in these patients and they are alive 1 and 10 years later. Both patients with stage III renal cell carcinoma also had metastatic disease when locally recurrent carcinoma was noted. One patient died 1 year later and the other is alive 1 year later. Patients who undergo partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma should be followed closely to allow for early detection of local tumor recurrence. When this occurs, secondary surgical treatment may be possible with complete tumor excision and the opportunity for extended survival.     

Surgical factors affecting return of renal function after partial nephrectomy

Introduction  

Nephron-sparing surgery is becoming the standard treatment for small renal tumors. In this study, we investigate the relationship between operative factors and recovery of renal function after partial nephrectomy.     

Residual renal function after partial or radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is often detected incidentally and early. Currently, open partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic total nephrectomy form competing technologies. The former is invasive, but nephron-sparing; the other is considered less invasive but with more loss of renal mass. Traditionally, emphasis has been placed on oncologic outcomes. However, a patient with an excellent oncologic outcome may suffer from morbidity and mortality related to renal failure. Animal models with hypertension and diabetic renal disease indicate accelerated progression of pre-existing disease after nephrectomy. Patients with RCC are older and they have a high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. The progression of renal failure may also be accelerated after a nephrectomy. Our analysis of the available literature indicates that renal outcomes in RCC patients after surgery are relatively poorly defined. A strategy to systematically evaluate the renal function of patients with RCC, with joint discussion between the nephrologist and the oncologic team, is strongly advocated.     

Prognostic nomogram for renal insufficiency after radical or partial nephrectomy

PURPOSE: We analyzed prognostic factors to predict renal insufficiency after partial or radical nephrectomy. We developed and performed internal validations of a postoperative nomogram for this purpose. We used a prospectively updated renal tumor database of more than 1,500 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1989 to October 2003, 161 partial nephrectomies and 857 radical nephrectomies performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for renal cortical tumors were analyzed. Computerized tomography images were reviewed by a single radiologist. Kidney volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula, V = L1 x L2 x L3 x pi/6, where V represents volume and L represents length. Renal insufficiency was defined by 2 serum creatinine values greater than 2.0 mg/dl at least 1 month postoperatively. Tumor histology was not an exclusion criterion and yet we excluded cases of bilateral synchronous disease. Prognostic variables were preoperative serum creatinine, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, percent change in kidney volume after surgery, and patient age and sex. RESULTS: Renal insufficiency was noted in 105 of the 857 patients with radical nephrectomy (12.3%) and in 6 of the 161 with partial nephrectomy (3.7%) studied. Patients had a median followup of 21.2 months (maximum 157.9). The 7-year probability of freedom from renal insufficiency in the cohort was 79.1% (95% CI 74.6 to 83.6). The nomogram was designed based on a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Following internal statistical validation nomogram predictions appeared accurate and discriminating with a concordance index of 0.835. CONCLUSIONS: A nomogram was developed that can predict the 7-year probability of renal insufficiency in patients undergoing radical or partial nephrectomy.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy after 60 cases: comparison with open partial nephrectomy

Background  Partial nephrectomy is the surgical standard of care for favorably located, small renal tumors. As the incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and detection of small kidney masses have increased over the past 20 years, minimally invasive management of these lesions has become more common. We report our single-institution experience with hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (HALPN) compared with open partial nephrectomy (OPN). Methods  Relevant outcome and demographic information was collected prospectively for HALPNs (N = 60) and retrospectively for OPNs (N = 40). A p-value of < 0.05 denotes statistical significance. Results  Average tumor size (2.6 cm HALPN versus 2.6 cm OPN, p = 0.97) was similar. Mean operative times were shorter for HALPN compared with OPN (161 versus 191 min, p = 0.027). HALPN was also associated with less blood loss (mean 120 cc versus 353 cc, p = 0.0003). Warm ischemia time was shorter for HALPN (mean 27.0 min versus 33.0 min, p = 0.035), as was hospital stay (mean 4.9 days versus 6.9 days, p = 0.007). Although four HALPN renal tumors required intraoperative margin re-excision (based on immediate gross evaluation by a pathologist), the final positive margin rate was 0%. A 5% final positive margin rate was observed in the OPN group. There were two conversions from HALPN to HAL radical nephrectomy and no conversions to an open technique. The HALPN minor complication rate was 18.3% versus 32.5% for OPN (p = 0.10). Complications included delayed bleeding (1, 2.5% OPN), urine leak (2, 5% OPN; 2, 3.3% HALPN), hypoxia, and nausea or fever lasting >3 days. Tumor pathology was as follows: 80.7% and 80% RCC, 12.3% and 8% oncocytoma, and 7% and 12% angiomyolipoma, for HALPN and OPN, respectively in each case. Conclusions  HALPN is associated with diminished blood loss, operating time, warm ischemia time, positive margin rates, and length of stay compared with OPN. In our institution, HALPN is the standard approach for patients with small, surgically accessible renal tumors.     

Experience with partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

From Sept. 1991 to Jan. 1999, we performed partial nephrectomy on 7 patients with renal cell carcinoma. The indication was imperative for 3 patients, and elective for 4 patients. The 3 imperative cases consisted of bilateral renal cell carcinomas, a polycystic kidney disease and a contralateral atrophic kidney. All 4 patients with elective indication revealed renal cell carcinoma with a normal functioning contralateral kidney. The tumor size ranged from 1.3 cm to 6.0 cm (2.7 cm on average). The mean clamping time of renal artery was 22 minutes and mean blood loss was 400 ml. The pathological stage was pT1a in 6 patients and pT1b in one patient. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 4 months to 92 months (mean: 43 months). One patient with bilateral renal cell carcinoma died of metastases to the lungs and brain at 25 months postoperatively. The remaining 6 patients are alive without recurrence and metastasis. We obtained a good postoperative course in our selected patients with low stage. Thus it was considered that partial nephrectomy is effective against small renal cell carcinoma.