Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Resection of Renal Vein Leiomyosarcoma

Robotic resection of left renal vein with preservation of left kidney for leiomyosarcoma: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Radical surgical resection with negative margins is the mainstay of treatment for retroperitoneal vascular leiomyosarcomas. Given the retroperitoneal location of these tumors, open surgery is, historically, the chosen surgical approach, however, it is burdened with high postoperative morbidity. In selected cases, the small dimension of the tumor and a favorable location, allow to perform a minimally invasive treatment.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 67-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of a leiomyosarcoma arising from the left renal vein underwent a robotic resection of the left renal vein with preservation of the left kidney and a relative outflow trough the gonadal vessels. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day without any complications and there was no tumor recurrence noted during the 24-month follow-up period.

DISCUSSION

Vascular retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas are very rare tumors requiring a complete en bloc gross tumor resection in order to achieving microscopically negative margins on the vein of origin. Thanks to the preoperative histological diagnosis and radiological study of the neoplasm, it was possible to proceed to a highly personalized and minimally invasive treatment with respect of oncological criteria.

CONCLUSION

In selected cases, a minimally invasive surgery of vascular leiomyosarcoma could be a feasible and safe treatment option.

Clinical experience with the treatment of retroperitoneal vascular leiomyosarcoma originating from large veins

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal vascular leiomyosarcoma (RVLMS) is an extremely rare disease in clinical practice, and it has poor prognosis. This article is to explore the diagnosis and treatment of RVLMS and present our experience.

METHODS

Data of RVLMS patients were continuously collected in our hospital from August 2018 to February 2020: two males and two females with a median age of 56 (min-max = 33-61) years were included. Patients in whom paraganglioma could not be excluded were asked to take phenoxybenzamine before surgery. A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting had been held and surgery was recommended. The operation procedures varied based on the tumor location, shape, and stage, and the core steps were "exposure of the retroperitoneum and tumor, identification of vital blood vessels, blocking the bloodstream, complete removal of the tumor and tumor thrombus, and release of blood flow". A Satinsky clamp was used to partially block the blood vessels. Follow-up was conveyed by revisits and phone calls.

RESULTS

One patient underwent open surgery, and three patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, one of whom underwent conversion to open surgery. The procedures were finished successfully, with a median operative time of 314.5 (min-max = 224-467) mins. The median amount of intraoperative bleeding was 550 (min-max = 200-1500) ml, and three patients had transfusion during the operation. The mass was irregular in shape, with a median maximum size of 7.45 (min-max = 4.2-10.7) cm, and the pathological examination confirmed RVLMS, which has spindle-shape, high mitotic activity and atypia. One week after the operation, the median serum creatinine level was 85 (min-max = 70-99) µmol/L. The median follow-up time was 16 (min-max = 13-21) months, and 1 case reported asymptomatic recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Uncharacteristic manifestations and imaging features contribute to the problematic diagnosis of RVLMS. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation and careful surgical planning are essential. Multicenter research is needed in the future to reach a dominant consensus.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma resection with inferior vena cava graft replacement: a case report

The aim of the present study was to report the initial clinical experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma resection with inferior vena cava graft replacement. The patient was a 45-year-old female with abdominal pain. She was referred to our hospital and found to be with a retroperitoneal mass (46 mm × 45 mm). The inferior vena cava and the distal part of left renal vein were invaded by the tumor and compression was obviously seen from magnetic resonance imaging. The serum level of potassium, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone and renin angiotensin aldosterone system were all in normal ranges before the surgery. The operation was performed via a six port, robot assisted, transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The tumor was completely resected and adherent part of inferior vena cava (approximately 5 cm) was dissected. Considering severe impairment of the great vessel, we decided to replace excised caval segment with an extended polytetrafluoroethylene graft and undertook the inferior vena cava reconstruction. The patient was discharged 11 days postoperatively with embolus in the graft. Anticoagulants were routinely administrated and the thrombus seemed to be smaller 3 months after operation. Abdominal pain was resolved and pathological examination finally confirmed that the tumor was leiomyosarcoma with negative margins free from tumor. Leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava present a technical challenge to surgeons. Comprehensive preparation should be made preoperatively to facilitate tumor resection and vascular management. In specific cases, robotic resection of leiomyosarcoma from great vessels and vascular repairment might be feasible options in experienced hands.