Maintaining urine production and early allograft function during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Moving away from mannitol infusion for partial nephrectomy: has this altered renal function?

In recent years, research has questioned the theorized renal-protective value of mannitol infusion during partial nephrectomy. This study considers whether the cessation of routine mannitol administration has shown any benefit or detriment to patients in the contemporary era. We retrospectively reviewed a multi-institution database for an association between mannitol administration and subsequent renal function during follow-up. These patients were assessed for de novo stage III chronic kidney disease (CKD III) and followed with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney-U and Chi-squared tests for comparing baseline and perioperative variables with postoperative outcomes. eGFR changes were evaluated with a mixed-effects linear regression model. Nine hundred and fifteen patients were identified whose operative reports or surgeons' treatment algorithms explicitly described whether or not mannitol was administered. 667 (73%) did not receive mannitol. There were no differences in demographics, age, Charlson comorbidity index, nephrometry score, tumor size, grading, or baseline eGFR from those who received mannitol. Ischemia time and operative time appeared slightly longer with mannitol use. Patients were followed for a median of 5 months (IQR 0.5-19 months), during which mannitol use was associated with an increase in de novo CKD III (14% v. 9%, p = 0.041) and minimally worsened median eGFR on final follow-up (72.82 v. 76.06, p = 0.039). Our analysis of partial nephrectomy patients indicates that mannitol administration likely confers no short- or long-term renal benefit. Mannitol may be used at the surgeon's discretion, but if it prolongs surgery time or ischemia time, it may in fact be detrimental to outcomes.

The impact of intraoperative fluid management during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy on donor and recipient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative fluid management during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) may have a significant effect on donor and recipient outcomes. We sought to quantify variability in fluid management and investigate its impact on donor and recipient outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent LDN from July 2011 to January 2016 with paired kidney recipients at a single center was performed. Patients were divided into tertiles of intraoperative fluid management (standard, high, and aggressive). Donor and recipient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 413 paired kidney donors and recipients were identified. Intraoperative fluid management (mL/h) was highly variable with no correlation to donor weight (kg) (R = 0.017). The aggressive fluid management group had significantly lower recipient creatinine levels on postoperative day 1. However, no significant differences were noted in creatinine levels out to 6 months between groups. No significant differences were noted in recipient postoperative complications, graft loss, and death. There was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the number of total donor complications in the aggressive fluid management group.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive fluid management during LDN does not improve recipient outcomes and may worsen donor outcomes compared to standard fluid management.

Effect of nicardipine on renal function following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the renoprotective effect of nicardipine in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP).

METHODS

Men with preoperative renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) were enrolled and randomized to receive either 0.5 µg/kg per min nicardipine continuous infusion (nicardipine group) or normal saline (control group) during RALRP. Renal function was determined by eGFR and serum creatinine concentration.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine levels on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 3 were significantly lower than baseline values in the nicardipine group (n = 50). In the control group (n = 50), eGFR was significantly higher on POD 3 than baseline, and was significantly higher than baseline on POD 1 and 3 in the nicardipine group. The change in eGFR from baseline to POD 1 was significantly higher in the nicardipine group than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Continuous infusion of nicardipine during RALRP improved postoperative renal function on POD 1 in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency.

Ureteral clipping simplifies hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Distal ureter clipping to prevent urine accumulation around the renal hilum during hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was noted to be helpful and safe.

Objectives:

We describe a technique of doubly clipping the distal ureter during hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) to prevent urine accumulation, thereby simplifying renal hilar division and potentially decreasing the graft warm ischemic time.

Methods:

A technique of placing polymer-locking clips across the distal ureter prior to division was developed to prevent urine accumulation and the need for suctioning during critical hilar vessel division.

Results:

We found that ureteral clipping and the elimination of urine accumulation simplified renal hilar division. Retrospective assessment of a series of 27 sequential HALDNs (15 without and 12 with clipping) demonstrated similar estimated blood loss, total operative and warm ischemic times (P=0.13 to 0.18). No adverse impact on graft viability or recipient outcome was observed.

Conclusion:

Distal ureter clipping to prevent urine accumulation around the renal hilum during HALDN is safe and helpful.

Multiple renal arteries challenge in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: how far can we go?

Purpose

Living donor kidneys with multiple arteries are routinely procured laparoscopically. We aim to present our experience with laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) and to compare the graft function and outcome between cases with single versus multiple arteries.

Methods

We compared the demographic data, operation time, warm ischemia time, rejection rate, and graft function between LDN kidneys with single artery and those with multiple arteries.

Results

Seventy-three cases with 1 renal artery (group LDN-1), 8 cases with 2 renal arteries (group LDN-2) and 5 cases with 3 or more renal arteries (group LDN-3) were included in the study. The mean operative time was significantly higher in groups LDN-2 (100.3 ± 9.5 minutes) and LDN-3 (120.6 ± 10.3 minutes) compared to group LDN-1 (75.7 ± 10 minutes, P < 0.001). Similar results were detected with respect to the warm ischemia time. There were no statistically significant differences related to graft function and outcome among these groups.

Conclusion

Multiple renal arteries present a special challenge in both donor nephrectomy and renal transplantation. However, laparoscopic procurement of a kidney with multiple renal arteries, regardless of the number, is reliable and has no significant impact on the graft outcome.

[Anesthetic considerations in laparoscopy for removal of a kidney from a live donor]

Kidney transplantation is the main therapeutic alternative for patients with end-stage renal failure. However, the main constraint at present is the lack of available organs. Removal of a kidney from a live donor is a better option than conventional transplantation of a cadaver-donated organ. Among the advantages are a shorter waiting time for the organ recipient and greater assurance of graft quality and survival. The postoperative conditions made possible by laparoscopic surgery have encouraged the donation of tissues by live donors. Anesthetic treatment for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery must be based on an understanding of the pathophysiologic changes that occur in this type of procedure so that complications can be prevented. This review provides an update of progress in laparoscopic surgery and the repercussions of anesthetic management, particularly with respect to anesthesia for kidney donors.

Effect of nicardipine on renal function after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the renoprotective effect of nicardipine in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) in a prospective trial. Superior visualization of the increasingly performed RALRP requires pneumoperitoneum and extreme head-down tilt, both of which are associated with a decrease in postoperative renal function. Nicardipine causes preferential dilation of the renal arterioles and attenuates renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

After we obtained institutional review board approval, we randomly treated 100 patients undergoing RALRP with a continuous infusion of nicardipine at a rate of 0.5 microg/kg/min (nicardipine group, n = 50) or with normal saline (control group, n = 50) during surgery. We measured the serum creatinine (Cr) level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 1 day before surgery and the first and third postoperative days (POD 1 and 3, respectively).

RESULTS

Patients' characteristics and operative data were similar between groups. The serum Cr was significantly higher and the eGFR was significantly lower in the control group at POD 1. The number of patients having renal insufficiency (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and abnormal serum creatinine level (>1.4 mg/dL) was significantly greater in the control group (9 vs 1, and 4 vs none, respectively) at POD 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous infusion of low-dose nicardipine during RALRP seems to offset the deleterious effects of inevitable pneumoperitoneum and extreme head-down tilt on renal function in preserving the eGFR and attenuating the development of renal insufficiency in the immediate postoperative period.

[Ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and role of preservation graft technique after laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy in a experimental model of living donor kidney transplant]

INTRODUCTION

Delayed graft function alter living donor transplantation is a subject of debate. Delayed graft function can be partially explained by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, when severe is associated with decreased graft survival. In this experimental living donor model study, we analyze the hemodynamic, histological and biochemical effects of laparoscopic nephrectomy. We also, analyze the effect of a pulsatile machine perfusion for kidney preservation during cold ischemia time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty large-white pigs (average weight 40-45 kgrs) were divided in 4 experimental groups: Group A: Laparoscopic nephrectomy+ immediate graft perfusion in pulsatile vacuum pump+autotransplant Group B: Laparoscopic nephrectomy+ immediate graft perfusion by gravity+autotransplant Group C: Open nephrectomy+immediate graft perfusion in pulsatile vacuum pump+autotransplant Group D: Open nephrectomy+ immediate graft perfusion by gravity+autotransplant Both laparoscopic and open nephrectomy were completed transperitoneally according to standardized technique. Hypothermic perfusion was done in a system designed in our lab.

RESULTS

We observed a decreased renal artery flow in kidneys procured laparoscopically compared to open nephrectomy. We found an artery flow recovery during the first 60 minutes after revascularization. Renal machine perfusion during cold ischemia time seems to have no beneficial effect, but shows a deleterious effect on hemodynamic event for renal transplantation. Lower plasma nitric oxide level is observed in kidneys obtained by laparoscopy compared with open surgical technique. And finally, we also found higher histological damage in proximal tubular and endothelial cell, in kidneys obtained by laparoscopy compared with open surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience: Laparoscopic nephrectomy versus open nephrectomy produces, in a model of living donor transplant, a lower value or renal blood flow and a higher value of renal vascular resistanse. These hemodynamic findings tend to normalize by 60 min after the reperfusion. A lower blood concentration of nitric oxide after the transplant was detected in laparoscopic group Vs open surgery group.

Beneficial effects of a new fluid regime on kidney function of donor and recipient during laparoscopic v open donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been associated with delayed graft function compared with open donor nephrectomy (ODN). We have recently shown that the adverse effect of pneumoperitoneum (PP) on hemodynamics could be prevented by a new fluid regime. The aim of this study was to test the effect of this fluid regime on the kidney function of the donor and recipient after LDN and ODN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively collected data of 51 donors undergoing ODN and 59 donors undergoing LDN as well as data from the corresponding recipients. All donors and recipients were treated with a standardized anesthesia and fluid regime. This fluid regime consisted of preoperative overnight hydration together with a bolus of colloid administered before induction of anesthesia and before introduction of PP. Follow-up was 2 years.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Hemodynamics and urine output until nephrectomy were comparable between both groups. Donor kidney function did not differ after ODN and LDN. Estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft survival, and recipient survival did not differ between open and laparoscopically procured transplants. No adverse effects of the novel fluid regime (eg, pulmonary edema or additional oxygen supply) were observed in the donors.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to our earlier findings, the kidney function of the donor and recipient is comparable between ODN and LDN after introduction of a new fluid regime.

Current concepts in transplant surgery: laparoscopic living donor of the kidney

INTRODUCTION

Living donor kidney transplantation has emerged as an excellent alternative to cadaveric donation since, more than 50 years ago, the first live donor nephrectomy was successfully performed.

OBJECTIVE

The basic idea of introducing laparoscopy in live donor nephrectomy was to obtain a potential reduction in incision-related morbidity with reduced pain and faster reconvalescence while providing at least the same level of operative security. This paper is focusing on technical aspects, outcome, results, and possible current concerns and advantages of laparoscopic living-related donor nephrectomy.

CONCLUSION

According to our results and the results available in the literature, laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy is safe when performed with sufficient experience. Postoperative pain is less and recovery is significantly faster.