Non-ischemic nephron-sparing surgery for small renal cell carcinoma: complete tumor enucleation using a microwave tissue coagulator

OBJECTIVE: To determine the methodological usefulness of non-ischemic complete enucleation for small renal cell carcinomas (RCC) using a microwave tissue coagulator (MTC). METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (61 kidneys) underwent non-ischemic complete tumor enucleation by MTC. Of the 59 patients, 46 had an elective indication and 15 kidneys of 13 patients had an imperative indication. RCC was exposed with minimal peri-renal detachment. The demarcation line, 7-10 mm from the tumor, was coagulated at 8-10 mm intervals with a microwave antenna needle for 30-40 s at 50-60 W. The renal tumor was excised along the coagulated zone with normal surrounding tissue. The enucleation bed was covered with fibrin glue or fat tissue without approximation. RESULTS: The operations were successfully completed in all intended cases. The mean operation time was 160 +/- 43 (median: 160) min and the mean blood loss was 313 +/- 370 (median: 158) ml. No major bleeding or urine leakage from the enucleation bed was observed in 62.2 and 88.5% of cases, respectively. The minor bleeding and urine leakage were controlled easily with absorbable sutures. None of the cases presented with postoperative bleeding or urine leakage from the enucleation bed. Severe impairment of the renal function was not observed in any case evaluated by means of serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and radioisotope examination. The 5-year overall survival rate was 87% without recurrence up to 23.1 +/- 19.5 months of the mean follow-up. CONCLUSION: Non-ischemic complete tumor enucleation using MTC constitutes a simple, reliable and less invasive alternative to ordinary nephron-sparing surgeries for small RCC.