Outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in technically challenging cases

Comparison of modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic nephrectomy and open nephrectomy in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases

Background

To assess the validity and feasibility of the modified hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic nephrectomy (MHARLN) in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases.

Methods

We retrospectively compared the data of 223 patients who underwent an MHARLN (n=142) or an open nephrectomy (ON) (n=81) with benign inflammatory non-functioning diseases between January 2014 and October 2019 at our hospital. Patients' demographic data, perioperative outcomes, preoperative and postoperative inflammatory data, and postoperative complications were reviewed.

Results

The basic demographic data of patients were similar between the 2 groups. The mean operative times for the MHARLN and the ON were 135 and 143 minutes (P=0.181), respectively. The first time at which postoperative ambulation occurred, the visual analog pain scale (VAS) score before discharge and the postoperative complication rate were similar in both groups. However, compared to the MHARLN, the ON was associated with a more severe inflammatory response on the first day after surgery (P=0.045), higher estimated blood loss (309.8 vs. 139.6 mL; P=0.036), more peritoneal ruptures (19.8% vs. 9.2%; P=0.024), higher intraoperative transfusion (14.82% vs. 4.93%; P=0.011), higher VAS scores 24 hours after surgery (5.9 vs. 5.2; P=0.002), additional analgesic use (35.8% vs. 21.8%; P=0.024), and longer hospital stays (5.3 vs. 4.6 days; P=0.048). Before a liquid diet was commenced in the MHARLN and ON groups, the mean time was 1.2 and 1.5 days, respectively (P=0.004).

Conclusions

When performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon, the use of the MHARLN in patients with benign inflammatory non-functioning kidney diseases is reliable and safe. The MHARLN may help to treat challenging cases and result in less trauma successfully.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy outside gerota fascia and En bloc ligation of the renal hilum for management of inflammatory renal diseases

Objectives

This study aims to improve laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques for inflammatory renal diseases (IRD) and to reduce complications.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD, with a method of outside Gerota fascia dissection and en-bloc ligation and division of the renal pedicle. Operative time, blood loss, complications, analgesia requirement, post-operative recovery of intestinal function and hospital stay were recorded. The degrees of perinephric adhesion were classified based on the observation during operation and post-operative dissection of the specimen, and the association of different types of adhesion with the difficulty of the procedures was examined.

Results

Among 33 cases, three were converted to hand-assisted laparoscopy, and one was converted to open surgery. Mean operative time was 99.6±29.2min, and blood loss was 75.2±83.5 mL. Postoperative recovery time of intestinal function was 1.6±0.7 days and average hospital stay was 4.8±1.4 days. By classification and comparison of the perinephric adhesions, whether inflammation extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum was found to be not only an important factor influencing the operative time and blood loss, but also the main reason for conversion to hand-assisted laparoscopy or open surgery.

Conclusions

In laparoscopic nephrectomy, outside Gerota fascia dissection of the kidney and en-bloc ligation of the renal pedicle using EndoGIA could reduce the difficulty of procedure and operative time, with satisfactory safety and reliability. Inflammation and adhesion extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum is an important predictor of the difficulty related to laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD.

Conversions in laparoscopic renal surgery: causes and outcomes

PURPOSE

We examined conversions in laparoscopic renal surgery, evaluating the causes and outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single institution review of all laparoscopic renal surgeries, excluding renal donors, over a nine-year period was performed. Cases were evaluated for intraoperative results, conversions, and complications.

RESULTS

399 laparoscopic renal surgeries were identified (394 available for review) with 41 conversions (31 open, 8 hand-assisted, 2 retroperitoneal). Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 3.0% and 12.2%, respectively. The most common reason for conversion was a lack of progress (20), followed by difficult anatomy (8), tumor thrombus (5), and bleeding (4). Open conversion rates for hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL), transperitoneal laparoscopic, retroperitoneal laparoscopic (RPL), and robot-assisted were 17.1%, 6.9%, 13.2%, and 1.8%, respectively, although HAL and RPL were more often used for bilateral procedures, previous abdominal surgery, and large specimens (P<0.05). Surgical indication significantly impacted perioperative outcome, where autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and partial nephrectomy were associated with the highest rate of open conversion (13%), while nephroureterectomy had the highest rate of complications (40%). Cases in which there were large specimens weighing over 1500 g were converted in 40% of cases vs 8.2% for smaller specimens, P<0.001. Previous abdominal surgery did not impact conversion rate (11.9% without vs 9.3% with previous surgery, P=0.401). Cases that were converted had a significantly higher blood loss, operative time, transfusion rate, hospital stay, and complication rate (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Rate of conversion to an open procedure is significantly impacted by surgical indication, specimen size, and surgical technique. Any conversion is associated with an increased perioperative morbidity.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy outside gerota fascia for management of inflammatory kidney

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A nonfunctioning inflammatory kidney is a challenging surgical condition for urologists. Some investigators recommend open surgery because of the surgical difficulties caused by the inflammatory process, whereas others try to apply the advantages of a "simple" non-hand-assisted laparoscopic approach. We report our experience with simple laparoscopic nephrectomy for inflammatory kidney management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 2002 through December 2006, 50 pure laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed for inflammatory kidney (43 because of pyelonephritis, 5 for xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP), and 2 for pyonephrosis). Histopathologic analysis was the criterion used for inflammatory kidney diagnosis. Pain or recurrent urinary tract infection associated with a nonfunctioning excluded kidney was the eligibility criterion for the procedure. Preoperatively, all patients underwent complete image and functional renal assessment. Morcellation was used to remove surgical specimens. Conversion index, surgical difficulties, operative time, and postoperative complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Conversion was performed in 14 of 50 (28%) patients, including two with XGP and one with pyonephrosis. Adhesions, vascular (two inferior vena cava) lesions, and intestinal lesions (two colon) were the main causes of conversion. Acute pancreatitis developed in one patient, and one patient had a wound infection. Reoperations were unnecessary, and no deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

Pure laparoscopic nephrectomy was successful in 72% of patients with inflammatory kidneys. The laparoscopic dissection was useful even in those cases converted to open surgery. This is a high-risk procedure, however, and both surgeon and patient must be aware of that before the decision is made for this approach.