Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without intracorporeal suturing

Microwave Scissors-Based Sutureless Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Versus Conventional Open Partial Nephrectomy in a Porcine Model: Usefulness and Complications

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the benefits and safety of microwave scissors-based sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (MSLPN) with those of conventional open partial nephrectomy (cOPN).

METHODS

Each kidney in nine pigs underwent MSLPN using microwave scissors (MWS) via transperitoneal laparoscopy or cOPN via retroperitoneal open laparotomy. The kidney's lower and upper poles were resected under temporary hilar-clamping. The renal calyces exposed during renal resections were sealed and transected using MWS in MSLPN and were sutured in cOPN. For MWS, the generator's power output was 60 W. Data on procedure time (PT), ischemic time (IT), blood loss (BL), normal nephron loss (NNL), and extravasation during retrograde pyelogram were compared between the two techniques.

RESULTS

The authors successfully performed 22 MSLPNs and 10 cOPNs. Compared with cOPN, MSLPN was associated with significantly lower PT (median, 9.2 vs 13.0 min; p = 0.026), IT (median, 5.9 vs 9.0 min; p < 0.001), BL (median, 14.4 vs 38.3 mL; p = 0.043), and NNL (median, 7.6 vs 9.4 mm; p = 0.004). However, the extravasation rate was higher in the MSLPN group than in the cOPN group (54.5 % [n = 12] vs 30.0 % [n = 3]), albeit without a significant difference (p = 0.265). Pelvic stenosis occurred in one MSLPN procedure that involved deep lower pole resection near the kidney hilum.

CONCLUSIONS

The study data show that MSLPN can improve intraoperative outcomes while reducing technical demands for selected patients with non-hilar-localized renal tumors. However, renal calyces, if violated, should be additionally sutured to prevent urine leakage.

Reconstruction Techniques After Partial Nephrectomy: Classic vs. Sutureless Approach-A Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to update the information about the different types of reconstruction after partial nephrectomy, with special emphasis on the new methods of suture-free hemostasis currently available.

RECENT FINDINGS

The aim of renal reconstruction is to avoid bleeding and leakage of the collecting system, but now the renorrhaphy technique used is considered one of the modifiable determinants of renal function after surgery. In an attempt to avoid the loss of renal function implicit in classic reconstruction, new techniques have been described to control hemostasis and urinary leakage, which employ fewer suture layers, different suture materials and designs, and a wide range of commercially available hemostatic materials. Multiple suture characteristics have been studied as a potential factor influencing the renal function observed after partial nephrectomy. Single-plane suture techniques, the use of bearded sutures, and running sutures seem to be associated with less deterioration in postoperative renal function, and deep medullary sutures should be avoided to avoid affecting the arcuate arteries. Sutureless hemostasis systems could prevent the deterioration of renal function and complications derived from suturing, also reducing ischemia time and surgical time without increasing the risk of complications.

The efficacy evaluation of partial nephrectomy with selective renal artery branch occlusion by laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical application and effect of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal artery branch occlusion in the treatment of early renal tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 15 cases of renal tumor patients who underwent partial nephrectomy by laparoscopic selective renal artery branch occlusion in our department from January 2017 to January 2018. Nine male patients and 6 female patients were aged 46 to 65 years, with an average age of 54.3 ± 7.2 years. The diameters of tumors were 2.2 to 4.0 cm, with an average of 3.3 ± 0.7 cm. There are 10 tumors locating on the left side and 5 on the right side. Preoperative renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were 77.3 to 61.9 mL/min with an average of 47.6 ± 7.5 mL/min. All patients' diseased kidneys underwent renal computer tomography angiography examination before surgery. And the diseased kidney underwent reexamination of renal GFR. The operation time, renal artery branch occlusion time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, changes of renal function, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

All surgery were completed successfully, the surgery time was 136.7 ± 15.2 min, intraoperative renal artery branch occlusion time was 21.3 ± 4.5 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 223.3 ± 69.5 mL, the postoperative hospital stay was 6.5 ± 1.7 days, and the postoperative 1-month GFR was 49.5 ± 6.6 mL/min. There was no significant difference between the renal GFR before and after surgery (P > .05). There was no blood transfusion and transfer open surgery cases. The patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial nephrectomy with selective renal artery branch occlusion by laparoscopy is a safe, feasible, and effective method for the treatment of early renal cancer. It makes good use of the technical advantages of clear operation field and fine operation of laparoscopic surgery, avoids the heat ischemia process of the whole kidney, and can better protect the renal function.

Single-Site Sutureless Partial Nephrectomy for Small Exophytic Renal Tumors

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the standard procedure for most patients with localized renal cancer. Laparoscopy has become the preferred surgical approach to target this cancer, but the steep learning curve with laparoscopic PN (LPN) remains a concern. In LPN intracorporeal suturing, the operation time is further extended even under robot assistance, a step which prolongs warm ischemic time. Herein, we shared our experience to reduce the warm ischemia time, which allows surgeons to perform LPN more easily by using a combination of hemostatic agents to safely control parenchymal bleeding. Between 2015 and 2018, we enrolled 52 patients who underwent LPN in our hospital. Single-site sutureless LPN and traditional suture methods were performed in 33 and 19 patients, respectively. Preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative variables were recorded. Renal function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) pre- and postoperatively. The average warm ischemia time (sutureless vs. suture group; 11.8 ± 3.9 vs. 21.2 ± 7.2 min, p < 0.001) and the operation time (167.9 ± 37.5 vs. 193.7 ± 42.5 min, p = 0.035) were significantly shorter in the sutureless group. In the sutureless group, only 2 patients suffered from massive urinary leakage (>200 mL/day) from the Jackson Pratt drainage tube, but the leakage spontaneously decreased within 7 days after surgery. eGFR and serum hemoglobin were not found to be significantly different pre- and postoperatively. All tumors were removed without a positive surgical margin. All patients were alive without recurrent tumors at mean postoperative follow-ups of 29.3 ± 12.2 months. Single-site sutureless LPN is a feasible surgical method for most patients with small exophytic renal cancer with excellent cosmetic results without affecting oncological results.

Functional and oncological outcomes of 3D clampless sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors with low nephrometry score

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma still represents 2-3% of all tumors but its mortality is decreased in the last decades due to the early detection of small masses and to the innovative surgical techniques. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (CSLPN) in terms of intra- and postoperative functional results, complication rate and oncological outcome.

METHODS

We evaluated patients undergoing CSLPN between July 2013 and December 2019. Inclusion criteria were single, organ confined tumor with size ≤4 cm, intraparenchymal depth ≤1.5 cm, renal nephrometry score between 4 and 6 and no close contact with the collecting system.

RESULTS

Overall, 62 patients underwent CSLPN. Mean operative time was 105 minutes, mean intraoperative blood loss was 165 mL. Mean drain time and hospital stay were respectively 2.5 and 4.2 days. Mean 24 hours hemoglobin (Hb) decrease was 2.5 g/dL. No significative variations are described in pre- and postoperative renal function. Twelve patients had postoperative complications. At a median follow-up of 38.5 months all the patients are alive and disease free.

CONCLUSIONS

Different techniques have been proposed to reduce warm ischemia time (WIT). In our experience we found many benefits in an off-clamp procedure: it gives an ischemia-related advantage, reduces the overall operating time, eliminates the risks associated with the isolation of hilar vessels. In conclusion CSLPN is a safe and effective procedure for selected renal masses; it does not increase complication rate and offers excellent functional and oncological outcomes.

Use of hemostatic agents for surgical bleeding in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Biomaterials perspective

In recent years, there was an abrupt increase in the incidence of renal tumors, which prompt up the appearance of cutting-edge technology, including minimally invasive and organ-preserving approaches, such as laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). LPN is an innovative technique used to treat small renal masses that have been gaining popularity in the last few decades due to its promissory results. However, the bleeding control remains the main challenge since the majority of currently available hemostatic agents (HAs) used in other surgical specialities are inefficient in LPN. This hurried the search for effective HAs adapted for LPN surgical peculiarities, which resulted on the emergence of different types of topical HAs. The most promising are the natural origin HAs because of their inherent biodegradability, biocompatibility, and lowest toxicity. These properties turn them top interests' candidates as HAs in LPN. In this review, we present a deep overview on the progress achieved in the design of HAs based on natural origin polymers, highlighting their distinguishable characteristics and providing a clear understanding of their hemostat's role in LPN. This way it may be possible to establish a structure-composition properties relation, so that novel HAs for LPN can be designed to explore current unmet medical needs.

Clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using monopolar coagulation with or without N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel technique for clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) using monopolar coagulation with or without N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

METHODS

From February 2015 to October 2018, we performed clampless and sutureless LPN using monopolar coagulation with or without NBCA on 142 patients. The tumors were resected with cold scissor. The tumor beds were repeatedly coagulated with a monopolar hook in spray and fulgurate modes. NBCA was sprayed when bleeding was observed after coagulation in 98 patients. We compared outcomes in the NBCA and non-NBCA groups.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 55 years (range 20-86). Mean tumor size was 3.2 cm (range 1.0-10.6). Mean RENAL nephrometry score was 5 (range 4-8). Mean operative time was 120 min (range 40-200). Mean estimated blood loss was 100 ml (range 10-500). Mean eGFR changes were 2.3 ml/min. Two patients had positive surgical margins. Three patients received blood transfusions. No patients had urine leakage. Patients receiving NBCA had larger tumors (3.0 vs 2.0 cm, p < 0.001), higher RENAL nephrometry scores (5.59 vs 4.47, p = 0.004), and higher E item scores (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of monopolar coagulation with NBCA in clampless and sutureless LPN for renal tumors with low RENAL nephrometry scores is safe and effective. For patients with exophytic renal tumors less than 2 cm, NBCA is not necessary.

Use of a gelatin-thrombin hemostatic matrix in obstetrics and gynecological surgery

Gelatin-thrombin matrix (GTM) is a hemostatic sealant consisting of bovine-derived gelatin matrix and human-derived thrombin, combining both mechanical and active mechanisms to achieve hemostasis. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999. GTM has been used by several surgical specialties; however, it is a possibly an under-used tool in obstetrics and gynecology. A limited number of studies have been performed on its use during laparoscopic endometrioma excision and myomectomy. It may prove useful in endometrioma excision in reproductive aged women because it is likely to harm ovarian reserve less than electrocautery; however, this conclusion needs to be validated. The only study on GTM use in myomectomy included 50 women randomized into GTM and control groups, and showed decreased blood loss and shorter hospital stays in the GTM group. In gynecologic oncology, it was successfully used to reduce lymphocele cases in a cohort study. GTM has been used successfully in obstetrics in a handful of cases of uncontrolled bleeding from caesarean scar, placental site, ectopic pregnancy, rectovaginal hematoma, and venous plexus over the vaginal vault after emergency postpartum hysterectomy. Risk of viral transmission is a major concern about GTM, yet there are no reports on disease transmission with GTM use to date. Rare but serious adverse effects and complications have been reported such as fatal or near-fatal thromboembolism and small bowel obstruction. Although GTM is mostly a safe product, it is still not free of complications and risks. In conclusion, although routine use of GTM cannot be recommended due to concerns about its safety, cost, and availability, it may prove useful when conventional hemostatic methods such as suturing and electrocauterization fail or are not appropriate.

Management of Persistent Epistaxis Using Floseal Hemostatic Matrix vs. traditional nasal packing: a prospective randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Epistaxis is the most common emergent consultation to otolaryngology-head & neck surgery (OHNS) and with 60% of the population having experienced an episode and 1.6 in 10,000 requiring hospitalization in their lifetime. In preliminary studies Floseal® (Baxter, USA) Hemostatic Matrix has shown efficacy in up to 80% of persistent anterior epistaxis. We sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Floseal® (Baxter, USA) compared to traditional nasal packing for persistent epistaxis.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted on all adult patients consulted to the OHNS service at the tertiary referral centers of the University of Alberta Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital for persistent epistaxis. Patients were randomized to the Floseal® (Baxter, USA) or traditional packing study arms. Our main clinical outcome measures were: 1) Hemostasis directly following treatment and at 48 h post-treatment, and 2) self-reported patient comfort at 48 h post-treatment. Further, trial data was used for a formal cost-effectiveness analysis to determine incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis were performed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between groups for initial hemostasis (76.9% vs. 84.6%, p = 1.000) or, hemostasis at 48 h (76.9% vs. 69.2%, p = 1.000), requirement for admission (15.4% vs. 46.1%, p = 0.2016) or 30-day re-presentation rates (15.4% vs. 46.1%, p = 0.2016). Floseal® (Baxter, USA) was superior for decreased pain during placement (2.42 vs. 7.77, p = 0.0022), treatment (0.50 vs. 4.46, p = 0.0007) and removal (0 vs. 3.85, p = 0.0021). Floseal® (Baxter, USA) provides an average $1567.61 per patient savings from the single-payer system point of view and has an ICER of - $11,891 per re-bleed prevented (95% CI: -$37,658 to +$473). Uncertainty analysis shows that Floseal® has >90% chance of not only being cost-effective, but the dominant (preferred) treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Floseal® (Baxter, USA) was demonstrated to be an effective, comfortable and cost-effective alternative treatment of persistent epistaxis when compared to traditional packing methods for patients referred to OHNS with a normal coagulation profile.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration number: NCT02488135 . Date registered: June 26, 2015.