Surgical Management of Synchronous, Bilateral Renal Masses: A 1-decade Referral Center Experience

Three-dimensional virtual model for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: a propensity-score matching analysis with a contemporary control group

PURPOSE

To compare two cohorts of patients submitted to robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) with vs without the use of three-dimensional virtual models (3DVMs).

METHODS

We screened a prospective consecutive cohort of 152 patients submitted to RAPN with 3DVM and 1264 patients submitted to RAPN without 3DVM between 2019 and 2022. Propensity score matching analysis (PSMA) was applied. Primary endpoint was to evaluate whereas RAPNs with 3DVM were superior in terms of functional outcomes at 12-month. Secondary endopoints were to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVA) tested the associations of clinically significant eGFR drop and 3DVMs. Subgroups analysis was performed for PAUDA-risk categories.

RESULTS

100 patients for each group were analyzed after PSMA. RAPN with 3DVM presented a higher rate of selective/no clamping procedure (32% vs 16%, p = 0.03) and a higher enucleation rate (40% vs 29%, p = 0.04). As concern to primary endopoint, 12-month functional preservation performed better within 3DVM group in terms of creatinine serum level (median 1.2 [IQR 1.1-1.4] vs 1.6 [IQR 1.1-1.8], p = 0.03) and eGFR (median 64.6 [IQR 56.2-74.1] vs 52.3 [IQR 49.2-74.1], p = 0.03). However, this result was confirmed only in the PADUA ≥ 10 renal masses. Regarding secondary endpoints, no significative difference emerged between the two cohorts. MVA confirmed 3DVM as a protective factor for clinically significant eGFR drop only in high-risk (PADUA ≥ 10) masses.

CONCLUSIONS

RAPN performed with the use of 3DVM assistance resulted in lower incidence of global ischemia and higher rate of enucleations. The positive impact of such technology was found at 12-month only in high-risk renal masses.

Minimally invasive transperitoneal partial versus radical nephrectomy in obese patients: perioperative and long-term functional outcomes from a large perspective contemporary series (RECORd2 project)

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the perioperative and long-term functional outcomes of laparoscopic (LPN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in comparison to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in obese patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Clinical data of 4325 consecutive patients from The Italian REgistry of COnservative and Radical Surgery for cortical renal tumor Disease (RECORD 2 Project) were gathered. Only patients treated with transperitoneal LPN, RAPN, or LRN with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, clinical T1 renal tumor and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min, were included. Perioperative, and long-term functional outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Overall, 388 patients were included, of these 123 (31.7%), 120 (30.9%) and 145 (37.4%) patients were treated with LRN, LPN, and RAPN, respectively. No significant difference was observed in preoperative characteristics. Overall, intra and postoperative complication rates were comparable among the groups. The LRN group had a significantly increased occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to LPN and RAPN (40.6% vs. 15.3% vs. 7.6%, P=0.001). Laparoscopic RN showed a statistically significant higher renal function decline at 60-month follow-up assessment compared to LPN and RAPN. A significant renal function loss was recorded in 30.1% of patients treated with LRN compared to 16.7% and 10.3% of patients treated with LPN and RAPN (P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In obese patients, both LPN and RAPN showcased comparable complication rates and higher renal function preservation than LRN. These findings highlighted the potential benefits of minimally invasive PN over radical surgery in the context of obese individuals.

DaVinci SP-based simultaneous bilateral partial nephrectomy from the midline transperitoneal approach: a case report

While simultaneous bilateral partial nephrectomy with a conventional multiport robot has been consistently reported since the 2010s, the introduction of the DaVinci SP system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) could provide a novel way to perform surgery on bilateral kidneys while innovatively reducing the number of incisions. In our first report worldwide, the patient with bilateral small renal mass (2.0 cm for the left and 1.5 cm for the right side) and preoperative normal renal function was placed in the lateral decubitus position on an inverted bed. After tilting the bed to be as horizontal as possible, a 4-cm incision was made in the lower part of the umbilicus for the floating trocar technique. The partial nephrectomy was performed reliably as with the conventional transperitoneal approach, and then the patient could be repositioned to the contralateral side for the same procedure, maintaining all trocars. Total operation time (skin to skin), total console time, and the left- and right-side warm ischemic times were 260, 164, 27, and 23 minutes, respectively, without applying the early declamping technique. The estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The serum creatinine right after the operation, on the first day, 3 days, and 90 days after surgery were 0.92, 0.77, 0.79, and 0.81 mg/dL, respectively. For 90 days after the procedure, no complications or radiologic recurrence were observed. Further clinical studies will reveal the advantages of using the DaVinci SP device for this procedure over traditional multiport surgery, maximizing the benefit of a single port-based approach.

Redo Partial Nephrectomy for Local Recurrence After Previous Nephron-sparing Surgery. Surgical Insights and Oncologic Results from a High-volume Robotic Center

Background

The role of redo partial nephrectomy (PN) for recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still overlooked.

Objective

To report our experience of salvage PN for local recurrence after previous nephron-sparing surgery (NSS).

Design setting and participants

We prospectively gathered data from patients treated with robotic redo PN for locally recurrent RCC after previous NSS from January 2017 to January 2023. The type of surgical resection technique was assigned to the pathologic specimen according to the surface-intermediate-base (SIB) score.

Surgical procedure

Redo PN was performed by using the Si Da Vinci robotic platform.

Measurements

Operative time, warm ischemia time, and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. The severity of postoperative complications and tumor stage were evaluated.

Results and limitations

Overall, 26 patients entered the study. The median clinical diameter was 3.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.2-4.9) cm and the median Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score was 8 (IQR 7-9). In 14 (53.8%) cases, recurrence was at the level of previous tumor resection bed. The median operative time was 177 (IQR 148-200) min, and hilar clamping was performed in 14 (53.8%) cases with a median warm ischemia time of 16 (14.5-22) min. Pure enucleation (SIB score 0-1), hybrid enucleation (SIB score 2), and pure enucleoresection (SIB score 3) were recorded in 13 (50%), eight (30.8%), and five (19.2%) cases, respectively. The totality of recurrent RCC far from previous tumor resection bed received a SIB score of 0-1, while in 57.1% and 35.8% of recurrent RCC on previous tumor resection a hybrid enucleation and a pure enucleoresection were performed, respectively. At a median follow-up of 37 (IQR 16-45) mo, five (19%) patients experienced disease recurrence, being local and systemic in three (11.5%) and two (7.7%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the feasibility and safety of redo PN for the treatment of locally recurrent RCCs after NSS, either on previous tumor resection bed or elsewhere in the kidney.

Patient summary

Robotic redo partial nephrectomy is a challenging procedure. The surgeon needs to tailor the surgical strategy and tumor resection technique case by case, given the heterogeneity of clinical scenarios and the need to achieve maximal functional preservation while ensuring oncologic efficacy.

The current evidence on surgical management for synchronous bilateral renal tumors: results from a scoping review

PURPOSE

Synchronous bilateral renal masses (SBRM) account for a low percentage of kidney tumors, and there is no current recommendation for their management. The objective was to review evidence regarding the best surgical approach for SBRM in terms of type and timing of surgery.

METHODS

A broad literature search was performed on 28th January 2023 using Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE. Only English papers dealing with adults were included. Meeting abstracts were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-four papers were accepted and included. SBRM behave less aggressively than metachronous tumors, and partial nephrectomy (PN) is the preferred therapeutic option to preserve renal function. Open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted approaches were found to be similar in oncological outcomes, though robot-assisted surgery resulted in lower comorbidities. Same-sitting PN was demonstrated to be a safe approach, particularly in the robotic-assisted one. Finally, the same-siting and staged NSS were similar in preserving renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

PN should be the desirable treatment for SBRM whenever feasible and if patients are fit, but surgeon expertise should also be taken into the account.

Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Bilateral Renal Masses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There are very few data on patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for bilateral renal masses. The aim of this review is to update the literature and discuss the controversial points on this topic.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nine papers have been published regarding RAPN for bilateral renal masses. In particular, five papers were case reports while the remaining four reported patient series. Concerning the outcomes, all these papers highlighted the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of bilateral RAPN for bilateral renal masses. The literature confirmed RAPN as an optimal procedure for the treatment of bilateral renal masses. However, these outcomes mainly derived from selected group of patients who underwent complex surgical procedures by expert robotic surgeons at high volume centers and cannot be generalizable to all categories of patients or centers. The simultaneous bilateral approach resulted feasible showing some advantages and without higher complications than a staged procedure in particular when clampless or selective clamping techniques were performed.

Prognostic features of upstaged pT3a renal tumors with fat invasion after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: is it time for a new subclassification?

INTRODUCTION

The clinical management of pT3a pathologic-upstaged renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients is actually controversial. Aim of this study was i) to assess the impact of pT3a upstaging on oncologic outcomes after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for cT1-T2 RCC; ii) to explore clinical and surgical predictors of pT3a upstaging; iii) to evaluate the differential impact of perinephric fat invasion (PFI) or sinus fat invasion (SFI) on survival outcomes after RAPN in case of upstaged pT3a RCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and surgical data from consecutive RCCs treated with RAPN in a single referral centre between January 2017 and June 2021 were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Pathological upstaging to pT3a tumors with fat invasion was further stratified in SFI or PFI. Uni- and multivariable analysis were fitted to explore clinical and surgical predictors of disease recurrence.

RESULTS

Overall, 1852 patients were enrolled and 179 (9.7%) with pT3a upstaging were found. Median age was 65 (IQR 56-73) years with a median BMI of 25.6 (23.6-29.0). At a median follow up of 26 (9-38) months, 76 (4.1%) patients showed disease recurrence. Multivariable analysis confirmed PADUA score ≥10 (OR 1.76, CI 95% 1.18-1.91, p = 0.001), age at surgery (OR 1.04, CI 95% 1.01-1.06, p = 0.01), clinical tumor diameter (OR 1.31, CI 95% 1.17-1.47, p = 0.001), tumor necrosis (OR 1.54, CI 95% 1.08-1.88, p = 0.001) and nucleolar grading ≥3 (OR 1.27, CI 95% 1.01-1.44, p = 0.001) as independent predictors of pT3a upstaging. Multivariate Cox regression model showed pathological sinus fat invasion as an independent predictor of disease recurrence (HR 3.43, CI 95% 1.51-7.77, p = 0.003) in pT3a upstaged group.

CONCLUSION

In pathologically upstaged pT3a RCCs, sinus fat invasion was confirmed as independent predictor of disease relapse. In this light, the definition of novel risk categories in the pT3a patients setting should be encouraged.