Mayo Clinic Scottsdale experience with laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery for renal tumors

PURPOSE: Nephron sparing surgery is an accepted treatment for small renal masses, of which many have been detected incidentally due to the widespread use of advanced imaging techniques. We report our experience with laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2000 to May 2002 a total of 20 laparoscopic partial nephrectomies were performed in 19 patients. The kidney was mobilized to allow adequate dissection, hemostasis and inspection of the kidney. Cautery, a harmonic scalpel and a TissueLink (TissueLink Medical, Inc., Dover, New Hampshire) device were variably used for dissection and hemostasis. Further hemostasis was then achieved using an argon beam laser with Fibrillar (Fibrillar Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey), fibrin glue or the TissueLink device. Intact removal and biopsy of the lesion base were done to assess margin status. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 66 years (range 41 to 80). Mean tumor size was 2.1 cm. (range 1 to 7) and average operative time was 130 minutes (range 60 to 210). Mean hospital stay was 2.2 days. Mean estimated blood loss was 120 ml. (range 20 to 400) and no blood transfusions or conversions to an open procedure were required. Complications included intraoperative fragmentation of a tumor in 1 case, postoperative dyspnea, postoperative bleeding and pneumonia in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors was performed safely and effectively. Technique depended on the size and location of the mass. Long-term followup is required to compare cancer control with that of open nephron sparing surgery.