Laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctioning kidneys is feasible after previous ipsilateral renal surgery: a prospective cohort trial

Three-Dimensional Laparoscopic Nephrectomy for Benign Nonfunctioning Kidneys: A Single-Center Initial Experience

BACKGROUND

There are several types of benign renal diseases, such as urological stones, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, renal vascular disease, and inflammation, which are responsible for nonfunctioning kidneys. Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is the gold standard for treating nonfunctioning kidneys with complications. This study presents the results of our initial experiences with 3D laparoscopic nephrectomy (3D-LN) for benign, nonfunctioning kidneys.

METHODS

From July 2021 to July 2023, 40 consecutive patients who underwent 3D transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy were retrospectively evaluated at the Department of Urology and Department of General Surgery, Hue Central Hospital, Hue, Vietnam. Patient demographics, intraoperative and early postoperative results, postoperative recovery, complications, and three-month follow-up results were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean age was 58.35 ± 14.9 years. There were 13 (32.5%) male and 27 (67.5%) female patients. Flank pain was the main reason for hospitalization in 33 cases (82.5%); the common cause of a nonfunctioning kidney was urological stones (62.5%). Twenty-three out of 40 patients underwent a left nephrectomy. The average operative time was 92.57 ± 28.69 minutes. A statistically significant difference in surgery time was found between the group with no adhesion and the group with mild adhesion, as well as between the first 19 patients and the last 18 patients (p <0.05). The mean blood loss was 51.62 ± 24.35 ml. Three cases were converted to open surgery due to severe adhesions. The postoperative complications rate was 8.1%. The average length of the postoperative hospital stay was 7.89 ± 3.59 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional laparoscopic nephrectomy is a safe and effective method that increases depth perception and spatial orientation for surgeons and can compensate for the remaining shortcomings of traditional 2D systems.

Goldfinger bypassing and en bloc stapling without dissection of renal vessels during laparoscopic nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To test the employment of the Goldfinger Dissector (GD) to bypass and en bloc stapling of renal hilus without vascular dissection. Thus far no study has experimented the use of this integrated technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 2002 to October 2020, clinical data were collected from 288 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies. They were divided into two groups: using GD with en bloc stapling (n = 174, group I) or the separation and ligation method (n = 114, group II) using the same Endo GIA Universal (Vascular) Stapler. Comparative analysis was carried out between the two groups, examining blood loss, operative time, intra and postoperative complications and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The mean age was 58.3 and 55.1 years in group I and II, respectively. Ratio of 90/84 and 55/59 males/females was found in group I and II, respectively.Blood loss was 65.5 ml and 188.9 ml, operative time was 156.5 and 189.2 minutes, wound infection occurred in three patients in each group (1.7% and 2.6%), ileus in 4 (2.3%) and 1 (0.87%), atrial fibrillation in 1 (0.57%) and 0%, incisional hernia in 0 (0%) and 2 (1.75%), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 0 (0%) and 1 (0.87%), conversion to open surgery in 2 (1.15%) and 5 (4.39%), mean hospital stay 3.5 days and 4 days in group I and II, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine use of the GD and en bloc stapling of the renal pedicle in laparoscopic nephrectomy is safe and useful. This technique can decrease blood loss, operative time, and have some benefit in conversion to open surgery.

Outcome of Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Patients Under the Age of 18: An Experience With 112 Cases

Purpose: Renal calculi are becoming more common among children. Although, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the first choice in this age group, minimal invasive surgeries, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), are indicated for some patients. Recently, PCNL devices have become smaller in size with acceptable efficacy and lower complications. We evaluated the outcomes and complications of mini-PCNL (MPCNL) surgery in our referral training centers.

Materials and Methods: Between September 2012 and January 2020, a total of 112 children under the age of 18, who had shown failure of ESWL, and/or their parents refused to do it, underwent MPCNL (15 Fr). The patients' profiles were reviewed for data collection including preoperative and stone data, operation information, and postoperative complications.

Results: Of 112 patients, 69 were boys, and 43 were girls. Their mean age was 8.6 years (14 months to 18 years). Mean stone size was 20 mm (14–34 mm). Seventy-four cases had renal pelvic stone, 22 had pelvis and lower pole, and 16 had staghorn. The mean operation time was 65 min (35–100 min), and mean radiation time was 0.6 min (0.2–1.4 min). Low-grade fever was detected in 14 patients (12.5%). Four patients needed blood transfusion and two had increased creatinine, which improved with conservative management. One patient developed urosepsis that resolved with antibiotic therapy. None of the patients had kidney perforation or other organ injury or death. Early stone-free rate (SFR) after operation was 90.2% (101 patients). Six patients had residual fragment <5 mm, which passed spontaneously in 2 weeks after operation (total SFR 95.3%). Three patients underwent second-look nephroscopy, and ureteroscopy was done for two patients due to migrated stone fragments to the distal ureter.

Conclusion: MPCNL is recommended as a safe alternative option for treatment of the nephrolithiasis in children with good outcome and acceptable complications.

Safety and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery in patients with previous abdominal surgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the safety and feasibility of the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach during nephron sparing surgery in patients with previous abdominal surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal masses. All patients had received a diagnosis of cT1a renal exophytic mass (⩽5 cm). Patients were divided into two groups, those with and without previous abdominal surgery. Patients with solitary kidney or major previous abdominal surgery were excluded in this study. The operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, surgical complications, and positive surgical margins were recorded to compare outcomes among two groups.

RESULTS

Of the 157 patients who were included in our study, 71 (45.3%) had a history of abdominal surgery (Group 1), while the remaining 86 (54.7%) had not (Group 2). Cholecystectomy was the most common previous surgery performed near the renal fossa. Patients with previous abdominal surgery experienced increased operative time (111.5 vs 83.2 min; p = 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found in estimated blood loss (122.1 vs 114.4 mL; p = 0.363), length of stay (4.1 vs 3.8 days; p = 0.465), rate of conversion to open surgery (2.8% vs 2.3%; p = 0.234), and rate of complications (p = 0.121). However, operative time (p = 0.003) and length of stay (p < 0.001) were greater in patients with versus those without previous open cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that laparoscopic partial nephrectomy after minor previous abdominal surgery is safe and feasible in selected patients affected by renal masses with low nephrometry score. However, previous cholecystectomy results in an increased risk of conversion to open surgery and longer hospital stay in patients undergoing right laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Comparative Study of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Versus Open Ipsilateral Nephrectomy After Percutaneous Nephrostomy: A Multicenter Analysis

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ipsilateral nephrectomy of a benign nonfunctional kidney after percutaneous nephrostomy, and to compare this method with open surgery. Materials and Methods: Data from 70 patients who underwent simple nephrectomy from January 2014 to October 2018 at three large centers were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent percutaneous nephrostomy because of renal or ureteral calculi with severe hydronephrosis or pyonephrosis. Simple nephrectomy was performed via retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery (retroperitoneal laparoscopic group; n = 33) or open surgery (open group; n = 37). The retroperitoneal laparoscopic and open groups were compared regarding preoperative variables (age, sex, location of surgery, hypertension, diabetes, BMI, preoperative serum creatinine level, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, fistula duration, fistula size, number of fistulae, and urinary tract infection), and perioperative variables (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, catheter indwelling time, gastrointestinal function recovery time, duration of bedrest, duration of postoperative hospitalization, postoperative hemoglobin decline, perioperative transfusion, and postoperative complications). Results: The retroperitoneal laparoscopic group included more patients with hydronephrosis, while the open group included more patients with pyonephrosis. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age (P = .813), sex (P = .729), location of surgery (P = .345), hypertension (P = .271), diabetes (P = .394), BMI (P = .798), preoperative serum creatinine level (P = .826), ASA grade (P = .820), fistula duration (P = .108), fistula size (P = .958), number of fistulae (P = .925), urinary tract infection (P = .111), or operative time (P = .851). The retroperitoneal laparoscopic group had significantly lesser intraoperative blood loss (P = .007), postoperative drainage volume (P = .008), shorter catheter indwelling time (P = .002), gastrointestinal function recovery time (P < .001), duration of bedrest (P < .001), and duration of postoperative hospitalization (P < .001), and lesser postoperative hemoglobin decline (P = .035) compared with the open group. Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic ipsilateral nephrectomy is feasible for a benign nonfunctional kidney after percutaneous nephrostomy. The surgical method should be selected based on the surgeon's experience and the specific situation of the patient.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy: Assessing complication risk in cases of previous abdominal surgery

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to assess the effect of previous abdominal surgery on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic partial (LPN) or radical (LRN) nephrectomy for renal masses.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of LPN and LRN for renal masses at our institution between 2008 and 2014. Patients were divided in two groups, those with and without prior abdominal surgery. Four perioperative outcomes were compared, namely, operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), and 30-days complications rate. A subanalysis was performed to address the impact of previous open cholecystectomy on right LPN or LRN.

RESULTS

Of 293 patients identified, 146 (49.8%) had previous abdominal surgery. In univariate analysis, no differences in operative time (136 vs. 144 minutes; p=0.154), EBL (88 vs. 100 mL; p=0.211), or 30-day complication rate (24 vs. 14%; p=0.069) were recorded between the groups. Only LOS favoured patients without previous abdominal surgery (3 vs. 4 days; p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, prior abdominal surgery was not associated with an increased OT, EBL, LOS, or complication rate. The analysis of right nephrectomies showed increased OT (148 vs. 128 minutes; p=0.049) and complication rate (42 vs. 16%; p=0.004) for patients with past open cholecystectomy compared to those without. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior open cholecystectomy was associated with a longer LOS (OR_median=2.7 [1.2-8.0]) and an increased risk of complications (OR_median=4.5 [1.6-10.5]).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, previous abdominal surgery was not associated with worse perioperative outcomes after transperitoneal LPN and LRN for renal masses. However, previous open cholecystectomy resulted in a higher risk of complication and a longer LOS in patients undergoing right laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Does laparoscopic transperitoneal simple nephrectomy for inflammatory and non-inflammatory kidneys differ?

Background

Laparoscopic simple nephrectomy is the standard procedure for the removal of non-functioning benign kidney. It can be performed transperitoneally or retroperitoneally. There are several studies comparing the results of transperitoneally or retroperitoneally laparoscopic nephrectomy but there are limited numbers of study comparing results of laparoscopic transperitoneal simple nephrectomy in non-inflammatory and inflammatory non-functioning kidneys. The aim of this study was to compare the results of laparoscopic transperitoneal simple nephrectomy in non-inflammatory and inflammatory non-functioning kidneys.

Results

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for various inflammatory and non-inflammatory renal conditions at our institution from May 2012 to October 2015. We divided the patients in two groups. Group 2 involved the kidneys with stone disease and/or hydronephrosis, patients with previous renal surgery and patients with the history of recurrent infections. Group 1 involved the patients who had non-functioning kidney without these properties. All the surgeries were performed by transperitoneal approach and peroperative blood loss, operation time, hospitalization time, postoperative creatinine changes and haemoglobin drop were compared between groups. There were 22 patients with inflammatory and 27 patients with non-inflammatory non-functioning kidney. Operation time, peroperative blood loss, hospitalization time, postoperative haemoglobin drop and creatinine difference were not statistically different between groups. Surgical side and the presence of previous surgery did not affect the surgical results of inflammatory and non-inflammatory kidney nephrectomy. The only difference was postoperative fever which was more frequent after the nephrectomy of inflammatory kidney.

Conclusions

On the basis of our experience, surgical results of transperitoneal laparoscopic simple nephrectomy did not differ between inflammatory and non-inflammatory kidneys. Surgical times were higher in inflammatory group even if the difference was not significant.

Laparoscopic simple nephrectomy after previous ipsilateral open versus percutaneous renal surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Fibrosis after previous open or percutaneous renal surgery may interfere with ipsilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy. We prospectively compared the outcome of laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with previous open renal surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During the study period, 38 patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery (n 22) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n 16) who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy were evaluated. All patients had symptomatic nonfunctioning small or hydronephrotic kidneys.

RESULTS

Mean age was 57.6 y (range, 15 to 77). Both groups were age and sex matched. Two procedures (both in patients with previous open renal surgery) were converted to open surgery because of difficult pedicle dissection. Mean operative time was nonsignificantly longer in group 1 (111 versus 97 min; P .22). Intraoperative complications consisted of symptomatic capnothorax and diaphragmatic rupture in 1 case per group, managed successfully by inserting a chest tube or laparoscopic repair. Intraoperative blood loss and mean postoperative hematocrit drop were similar in the 2 groups. No significant differences were found between groups in postoperative variables, including time to oral intake, hospital stay, and time to ambulation.

CONCLUSION

Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with a history of ipsilateral open or percutaneous renal surgery is feasible in a timely manner. Given adequate laparoscopic experience, similar perioperative outcomes can be achieved in both groups. When laparoscopic nephrectomy is used, the precautions that need to be considered are similar for patients with previous percutaneous nephrolithotomy and those with previous open flank surgery.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for non-functioning kidneys related to renal stone disease

Laparoscopic nephrectomy has become the gold standard procedure for nonfunctioning or symptomatic benign kidneys due to renal calculi, obstructive, refluxive, and inflammatory nephropathies or renovascular hypertension. We aimed to investigate the effect of renal calculi as a reason of non-functioning on the progress and complication rates of the retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (RPN). During a 2-year period, 108 patients with benign renal conditions underwent RPN by single surgeon. Among these patients, total of 27 (Group 1) with a non-functioning kidney due to renal calculi were retrospectively compared with 27 patients (Group 2) with other benign renal conditions. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, and previous renal surgery. We analyzed operative and post-operative findings and complications. The mean age and the BMI of the groups were similar. The operation time was significantly longer in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to mean hemoglobin drop postoperatively (p = 0.9) and hospitalization time (p = 0.06). The perioperative and postoperative complication rates were higher in Group 1 but not statistically different from Group 2 (p = 0.19, p = 0.29, respectively). RPN for nonfunctioning calculous kidneys is more challenging procedure and is associated with prolonged operation time related to difficult dissection of dense adhesions. It can be safely performed by experienced hands with similar perioperative and postoperative complication rates as well as for other benign conditions of the kidney.