The long-term outcome after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: a comparison with open nephroureterectomy

Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy without hand-assisted device

Various laparoscopic nephroureterectomy techniques for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract have been developed to minimize postoperative discomfort and the necessity for a lengthy convalescence. We performed hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy without hand-assisted device in 3 male patients with urothelial carcinoma of the distal ureter. Average operative time and estimated blood loss were 251 min (range 235 to 280) and 250 mL (range 200 to 300), respectively. Complication did not occur and conversion to open surgery was not necessary in all cases. Postoperative analgesic requirements were moderate and the time to regular diet intake averaged 3 days (range 2 to 4). None of the patients had a positive margin on the final pathologic specimen. At the average follow-up of 8.1 months, no regional recurrence, port-site metastasis, bladder recurrence, or distant metastasis were noted in any patient. We described our initial experience with the described technique, which obviates the need for midprocedural patient repositioning.

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy with Open Cystotomy for Removal of the Distal Ureter and Bladder Cuff

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While performing laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, different techniques are used for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. We present a series of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to August 2004, 34 patients underwent HALNU. The hand-port device was placed in a lower-midline infraumbilical incision in all cases. After laparoscopic removal of the kidney and ureter down to the bladder, the hand port incision was extended caudally to allow open cystotomy. Intravesical dissection was performed at the ureteral orifice, and the bladder cuff and distal ureter were removed in a traditional open fashion.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 317 +/- 150 (SD) minutes, but the median operative time was 247 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 252 +/- 146 mL. The mean length of stay was 7.6 +/- 6.0 days, but the median stay was 5 days postoperatively (range 3-25). The mean morphine equivalent required postoperatively was 33 +/- 22 mg. The time of Foley catheter removal ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean 6.1 +/- 3.8 days), with no cases of extravasation by cystography at removal. Within a mean follow-up of 13.9 months, no recurrence of urothelial carcinoma was seen at the site of the excised ureteral orifice.

CONCLUSION

A HALNU utilizing an open cystotomy for removal of the entire distal ureter with a bladder cuff provides excellent oncologic control while not adding significantly to the operative time or the morbidity of the procedure.

Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy with Bladder-Cuff Resection: Techniques and Outcomes

Advancements in minimally invasive instrumentation and technique have provided the impetus to performing urologic procedures with reduced perioperative morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and, most importantly, efficacious oncologic results. At multiple centers of excellence, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) has evolved into a new standard for the management of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) that is not amenable to endoscopic resection. An LNU may be performed via a transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach together with excision of the distal ureter and a bladder cuff. Analysis of present-day studies comparing LNU with open techniques demonstrates equivalent oncologic outcomes. In addition, those patients undergoing LNU fare better than their counterparts having open surgery with respect to hospital stay, analgesic requirements, and convalescence. With multiple options for excision of a cuff of bladder, a consensus has not been established. However, LNU has emerged as the new standard of care for the treatment of upper- tract TCC. Review of the techniques and outcomes of LNU from the minimally invasive urology community are described.

A comparison of the pathology of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the histopathological patterns of upper and lower urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs), as previous reports suggest that upper urinary tract TCCs have a greater tendency towards high-grade disease than bladder TCCs, of which most are low-grade and low-stage tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients presenting with TCC of bladder or upper urinary tract between February 1991 and December 2001 at one institution were identified. Further patient information was obtained from the hospital database and case-note review.

RESULTS

In all, 164 patients with upper urinary tract TCC and 2197 with bladder TCC were identified. There was a correlation between grade and stage of both upper urinary tract and bladder TCCs. 35% of the upper tract TCCs were classified as grade 2 and 44% as grade 3, while for bladder TCCs, 31% of lesions were classified as grade 2 and 35% as grade 3 (P = 0.003). Of the upper urinary tract lesions 33% were stage pT2-T4, compared with only 20% of bladder TCCs (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Upper urinary tract TCC is a higher grade and stage disease than bladder cancer, a finding that emphasizes the need for aggressive treatment of upper urinary tract TCC. If endourological management of upper urinary tract TCC is considered, histopathological determination of tumour grade before treatment is essential.

Recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with various forms of bladder cuff control

PURPOSE

We document recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNUX) for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) using primarily 2 methods of managing the bladder cuff.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 60 patients undergoing LNUX at our institution for upper tract TCC were reviewed retrospectively. En bloc excision of the bladder cuff was primarily performed transvesically by our described cystoscopic secured detachment and ligation method (CDL) or extravesically using a laparoscopic stapling device (LS).

RESULTS

Median followup was 23 months (range 1 to 45). Recurrence developed in 27%, 7% and 12% of cases in the bladder at a median of 5 months, retroperitoneum at 8 months and distant sites at 8 months, respectively. Compared to the novel CDL technique LS resulted in a higher positive margin rate (p = 0.046). Overall survival correlated with bladder recurrence (p = 0.003), upper tract TCC stage (p = 0.01) and method of bladder cuff control when comparing CDL vs LS (p = 0.04). Freedom from recurrent upper tract disease was related to pathological stage (p = 0.015) and bladder cuff excision method (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

These data underscore the aggressive nature of high stage, high grade upper tract TCC and validate the importance of complete excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during LNUX. In patients without coexisting bladder tumor the CDL method, which allows formal bladder cuff excision in a secured manner akin to that of established open surgical principles, appears oncologically valid.

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: is it better than open surgery?

OBJECTIVE

In 1991, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy has been introduced as a treatment option for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Based on the review of the current literature and personal experience we want to analyze the actual results of this technique in comparison to open surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search and reviewed the literature on laparoscopic and open nephroureterectomy between 1991 and 2004 (n = 1365 patients) including the results of 45 patients who underwent either laparoscopic (n = 23) or open nephroureterectomy (n = 21) during the same period of time at the Klinikum Heilbronn. Demographic, perioperative and follow-up data were compared.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed a slightly longer OR-time (276.6 vs. 220.1 min), and significantly lower blood loss (240.9 vs. 462.9 ml) in the laparoscopic series. No differences of minor (12.9 vs. 14.1%) or major complication rate (5.6 vs. 8.3%) were observed. All nine comparative studies revealed a significant dose reduction of the morphine-equivalents after laparoscopy. In all ten comparative series the hospital stay was shorter after laparoscopy, but only in 6 series the difference was statistically significant. The frequency of bladder recurrence (24.0 vs. 24.7%), local recurrence (4.4 vs. 6.3%), and distant metastases (15.5% vs. 15.2) did not differ significantly in both groups. The actual disease-free two-year survival rates (75.2 vs. 76.2%) were similar. The five-year survival rates averaged 81.2% in the three laparoscopic (n = 113 pat.) and 61% in the ten open series (n = 681 pat.) Six port site metastases were reported in 377 (1.6%) analyzed patients occurring 3 to 12 months following laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Open radical nephroureterectomy still represents the golden standard for the management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, however, laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery without deteriorating the oncological outcome. In case of advanced tumors (pT3,N+) open surgery is still recommended.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy: the new gold standard?

Laparoscopic nephrectomy has lesser blood loss, quicker recovery and return to work, shorter hospital stay, lesser post operative pain and analgesia requirement associated with it compared to open nephrectomy along with having oncological equivalence to open nephrectomy for T1, T2 renal tumours and for level 1 renal vein invasion by tumour thrombus. It has assumed the status of the New Gold Standard.

ONCOLOGICAL CONTROL FOLLOWING LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHROURETERECTOMY: 7-YEAR OUTCOME

PURPOSE

Proof of the oncological safety of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) relies on truly long-term outcome being at least equivalent to that of open surgery. We compared the long-term oncological outcome of laparoscopic versus open nephroureterectomy (ONU) in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 1992 and January 1999, 26 LNUs and 42 ONUs were performed at our hospital for suspected upper tract TCC. Hospital medical records were retrospectively reviewed to assess preoperative staging, pathology and followup.

RESULTS

There were 4 patients excluded from study (1 who underwent LNU and 3 ONU) since the histological diagnosis was other than TCC. Median followup for the laparoscopic and open groups was 101 and 96 months, respectively. There was local recurrence in 2 patients (8%) after LNU and in 6 patients (15.4%, p = 0.3) after ONU. TCC recurred in the contralateral kidney or ureter in 2 LNU cases (8%) and 1 ONU case (2.6%, p = 0.3). There was bladder recurrence in 7 patients (28%) following LNU compared with 15 patients (42%, p = 0.2) after open nephroureterectomy. The 1 and 5-year metastasis-free survival rates were 80% and 72% for LNU compared with 87.2% and 82.1% for ONU (p = 0.33 and 0.26). Upper tract tumor grade and stage influenced the incidence of metastatic and contralateral disease, but not the incidence of local or bladder recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In the surgical management of upper tract TCC, the laparoscopic approach does not affect long-term oncological control. Tumor stage and grade are important prognostic factors in the development of metastases and cancer specific mortality.

Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy: dilemma of the distal ureter

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy has recently emerged as a safe, minimally invasive approach to upper tract urothelial cancers. The most controversial and challenging feature of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is the management of the distal ureter. We review the most common methods of managing the distal ureter, with emphasis on contemporary oncologic outcomes, indications, advantages, and disadvantages.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are currently in excess of five different approaches to the lower ureter. These techniques often combine features of endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open management. They include open excision, a transvesical laparoscopic detachment and ligation technique, laparoscopic stapling of the distal ureter and bladder cuff, the "pluck" technique, and ureteral intussusception. Each technique has distinct advantages and disadvantages, differing not only in technical approach, but oncological principles as well. While the existing published data do not overwhelmingly support one approach over the others, the open approach remains one of the most reliable and oncologically sound procedures.

SUMMARY

The principles of surgical oncology dictate that a complete, en-bloc resection, with avoidance of tumor seeding, remains the preferred treatment of all urothelial cancers. The classical open technique of securing the distal ureter and bladder cuff achieves this principle and has withstood the test of time. Transvesical laparoscopic detachment and ligation is an oncologically valid approach in patients without bladder tumors, but is limited by technical considerations. The laparoscopic stapling technique maintains a closed system but risks leaving behind ureteral and bladder cuff segments. Both transurethral resection of the ureteral orifice (pluck) and intussusception techniques should be approached with caution, as the potential for tumor seeding exists. Additional long-term comparative outcomes are needed to solve the dilemma of the distal ureter.

Multiple intravesical linear staples identified during surveillance cystoscopy after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy has faced technical criticism secondary to the unknown effects of urine-exposed intravesical or intraureteral staples. Although not reported, staples exposed to urine theoretically create a nidus for encrustation and stone formation. We present a case of a 66-year-old man after left laparoscopic ureterectomy for ureteral malignancy. Surveillance cystoscopy at 6 months revealed a nearly complete intravesical titanium staple line without encrustation. Successful transurethral removal of all staples with standard cystoscopic graspers revealed no immediate, or delayed, sequelae.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter and renal pelvis

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of ureter and renal pelvis is relatively uncommon. Smoking, occupational carcinogens, analgesic abuse, Balkan nephropathy are the risk factors. Cytogenetic studies revealed that the most frequent aberration is the partial or complete loss of chromosome 9. Approximately 20-50% of patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) TCC have bladder cancer at some point on their course, whereas the incidence of UUT TCC after primary bladder cancer is 0.7-4%. Excretory urography and retrograde pyelography are the conventional diagnostic tools; however, ureteropyeloscopy combined with cytology and biopsy is more accurate. Grade and stage of the disease have the most significant impact on survival. Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision has been the mainstay of treatment. Local resection may be appropriate for distal ureteral lesions especially when the disease is low grade and stage. Advances in endourology have made it possible to treat many tumors conservatively. Ureteroscopic and to a certain extent percutaneous surgical approaches are widely used today especially in patients with low grade, low stage disease. Endoscopic close surveillance is mandatory for these patients. Adjuvant topical therapies appear to be safe but confirmation of any benefits awaits the results of further large studies. More recently, laparoscopic techniques have become a viable alternative to open surgery, but long term cancer control data are lacking. Aggressive surgical resection does not affect the outcome of patients with advanced disease. Adjuvant radiotherapy is ineffective, and systemic chemotherapy results in a low complete response rate for patients with metastases.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter: Nagoya experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of our new retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter, we present the operative procedure and analysis of the clinical outcome of retroperitoneoscopy in 23 patients.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy between February 2000 and February 2002. Patient age ranged from 44 to 83 years (mean 66.7). Each kidney was retroperitoneoscopically dissected en bloc, together with the perirenal fatty tissue, lymph nodes, and/or adrenal gland, without transecting the ureter. The lower ureter was resected with the bladder cuff transected using an ultrasonic scalpel and an endoscopic gastrointestinal automatic stapler. The dissected specimen was removed intact through a 6-cm-long original incision.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 4.8 hours, including 0.7 hours for complete removal of the ureteral end with the bladder cuff. The mean estimated blood loss was 304 mL. The mean time to recovery to normal activity was 18 days. In the mean follow-up period of 15 months, 2 patients died of cancer progression in the sixth postoperative month, 2 died of other causes, and 4 had recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy using an endoscopic gastrointestinal automatic stapler is a fast, low-risk, and minimally invasive procedure and might be an alternative to other laparoscopic techniques and open nephroureterectomy. However, long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the efficacy for patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy: comparison with the open procedure

PURPOSE

We report our initial experience with hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma and compared our results to those of a contemporary series of open nephroureterectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data on 34 consecutive patients who underwent hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy were reviewed and compared with those on 34 who underwent open nephroureterectomy. All specimens were extracted intact.

RESULTS

Total operative time was similar in the 2 groups (233 versus 236 minutes). Estimated blood loss was significantly less in the hand assisted laparoscopy group (236 versus 427 ml.). During convalescence the frequency of parenteral analgesia postoperatively was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group than in the open surgery group. The former patients had a significantly shorter interval to oral intake and ambulation as well as a shorter hospital stay and convalescence compared with those who underwent open surgery. In each group the complication rate was 12% (4 of 34 cases). In the hand assisted laparoscopy group 1 conversion to an open procedure was due to bleeding. There was recurrence in 4 of the 34 patients (12%) in the laparoscopy group, including 2 with bladder recurrence and 2 with metastases, at an average followup of 13.1 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy is an effective and safe alternative to open nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy-associated rhabdomyolysis with ARF

Intraoperative rhabdomyolysis with resultant acute renal failure is a rare complication seen, most commonly, with urologic surgical procedures. Since the early 1990s, the refinement of laparoscopic techniques has permitted their application more broadly. Among the procedures to benefit from these less invasive surgical methods has been radical nephrectomy. In general, this has resulted in less postoperative pain and shorter convalescence. Nonetheless, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy still represents major surgery and is not free from operative risks. To highlight one of these risks, we present a case of a young, obese man with renal cell carcinoma who underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy that was complicated by rhabdomyolsis resulting in acute renal failure (ARF). We discuss the clinical insults that contributed to the development of azotemia with particular attention paid to our current understanding of the pathogenesis of myoglobinuric ARF. In addition, we review the literature concerning surgery-associated, rhabdomyolytic ARF with the aim of providing clinicians guidance for the avoidance and early recognition of this rare, but very serious, surgical complication.

Retroperitoneoscopy-assisted total nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To apply retroperitoneoscopy-assisted nephroureterectomy (RTN) and examine its benefit compared with traditional open nephroureterectomy. The reference standard of treatment for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma is standard total nephroureterectomy (STN) with excision of a bladder cuff.

METHODS

Retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed, followed by open distal ureterectomy with excision of a bladder cuff. The specimen was removed en bloc from the lower pararectal incision that was used during distal ureterectomy. From January 1999, 17 patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma underwent this procedure at our institution. For comparison, the most recent 17 STNs were also reviewed.

RESULTS

The operative time was longer in the RTN group than in the STN group but not to a significant extent (239.5 versus 286.8 minutes; P = 0.2663). On the other hand, the estimated blood loss, duration to potential discharge, and recovery to normal activities were significantly reduced in the RTN group (151.1 versus 299.6 minutes, 2.7 versus 4.2 days, and 15.9 versus 19.3 days; P = 0.0262, 0.0479, and 0.0363, respectively). From an oncologic standpoint, local recurrence occurred in 1 patient of the RTN group and 4 patients of the STN group (median follow-up of 8.8 and 23.0 months, respectively). No significant difference was detected in the disease-free survival rate between the two groups (P = 0.6775).

CONCLUSIONS

RTN can make total nephroureterectomy less invasive. From an oncologic standpoint, although it revealed a disease-free survival rate comparable with the standard open procedure with limited follow-up, further follow-up of additional cases with simultaneous extended lymphadenectomy is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure.

Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary-tract urothelial tumors

PURPOSE

We report our experience with hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary-tract urothelial cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our initial 10 cases of clinical stage T(1)N(0)M(0) renal pelvic and ureteral tumors treated with hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy are included in the present report. Nephrectomy was conducted retroperitoneoscopically with hand assistance via a lower-abdominal midline incision. Resection of the lower ureter together with the bladder cuff was performed as open surgery and the specimen was removed en bloc via the same incision.

RESULTS

Hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy was completed successfully in all 10 cases. The mean operating time was 456 +/- 90 minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 462 +/- 364 mL. The times to oral intake and walking were 1.5 +/- 0.5 days and 2.3 +/- 0.7 days, respectively. One case of renal vein injury, one case of pulmonary embolism, and three cases of wound infection were the complications.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of hand-assisted endoscopic nephroureterectomy using the retroperitoneal approach. The surgical technique seems quite reasonable because the lower-abdominal incision can be utilized, not only as a route for hand assistance, but also as a window for open surgery when resecting the distal ureter as well as for extracting the surgical specimen.

Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy: results of an international multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To report a multicenter analysis after laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for pathologically confirmed upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 116 patients (72 males; mean age 68 years) underwent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy at five international institutions: 51 transperitoneally, 65 retroperitoneally. Location of the primary tumor was pelvicalyceal in 70 patients (60%), ureteral in 27 (23%), and multifocal in 19 (17%). In 18 patients (15%), transurethral resection was performed for concomitant bladder tumor. The median follow-up time was 25 months (range 3-93). A minimum follow-up of 1 and 2 years was available in 77 and 41 patients, respectively.

RESULTS

Five patients (4%) were converted to open surgery. The specimen was extracted intact in all 116 patients: using an Endocatch bag in 78 patients, a Lapsac in 5, and manually in 33. Pathologic staging was pTis in 5 (4%), pTa in 41 patients (35%), pT1 in 31 (26%), pT2 in 18 (15%), pT3 in 16 (13%), and pT4 in 5 (4%). Pathological grade was grade I in 26 patients (23%), grade II in 41 (35%), grade III in 34 (29%) and grade IV in 15 (12%). Histopathology revealed a positive surgical margin in five patients (4.5%): renal hilum (one), periureteral soft tissue (two), distal edge of the ureter/ bladder cuff (two). Local recurrence was noted in two patients (1.7%). Bladder recurrence was noted in 28 patients (24%) with a mean time to recurrence of 13.9+/-11.5 months. Distant metastases occurred in 11 patients (9%): lung (5), liver (3), bones (2), adrenal (1); mean time to metastasis was 13 months. Overall, 23 patients (20%) died. One-year and 2-year cancer-specific survival was 92% and 87%, respectively. Two-year cancer-specific survival according to pathologic stage was 89% for patients with pT1 disease, 86% for pT2, 77% for pT3, and 0% for pT4 (p=0.0001). Two-year survival according to pathologic grade was 88% for grade I, 90% for grade II, 80% for grade III, and 90% for grade IV (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy appears to be an effective minimally invasive treatment for select patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Although the 2-year survival data reported herein are encouraging, longer follow-up is needed before laparoscopy can be considered as a standard treatment.

Laparoscopic and renal sparing approaches to tumours of the ureter and kidney

Until recently, malignancies of the kidney and ureter were managed with open radical surgery. Over the last decade the urologic community has adopted the skill of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of these tumours. Parenchymal sparing procedures have become the standard of care in the treatment of selected patients with renal and ureteral tumours and many of these surgical procedures can be performed laparoscopically or ureteroscopically. Due partly to necessity and partly to the advancement of technology, renal and ureteral sparing procedures have become commonplace for definitive treatment and palliation of these tumours. The morbidity of such procedures is significantly less than for open surgery and the future of urologic minimally invasive surgery appears secure. This review article is aimed at updating the reader in the most recent advances in these techniques.