Lumbotomy approach for upper urological tract surgery in children--an analysis of 68 consecutive lumbotomies

Laparoscopic Excision of Large Wilms Tumor in Children: A Single-Center Experience from a Resource-Challenged Nation

Background: In this study, we aim to review the outcomes of children with Wilms tumor (WT) operated through the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach at our center. We also intend to highlight essential surgical steps during laparoscopic excision of large WTs. Methods: This retrospective study included children with unilateral WT who had undergone resection for a period of 4 years, w.e.f. July 2013 to July 2017. Simple maneuvers such as tilting the table in different positions and use of blunt metallic cannula to lift the tumor to access the hilar vessels were used to dissect large WT. An extended lumbotomy incision was used for retrieval of tumor and lymph-node sampling. Results: Eleven patients (male:female = 7:4) of WT, all having stage III disease, had undergone laparoscopic tumor resection at our center during the study period. The median age at presentation was 36 months (range = 17 months-5 years) and the median preoperative tumor volume was 1140 (range = 936-1560) cm³. The average length of the lumbotomy incision was 6.3 (range = 5-8.2) cm. The median hospital stay was 6 (range = 5-10) days. Two children developed complications (port-site recurrence and grade III surgical site infection in one each) during the postoperative period. All cases are long-term survivors after a median follow-up of 86 (range = 56-104) months. Conclusion: This study highlights the feasibility and safety of the removal of large WT through the MIS approach. Problems due to large-sized tumors in children can be overcome by simple maneuvers. Also, adequate lymph node sampling is possible with a suitably placed extended lumbotomy incision for tumor removal.

A reappraisal of pediatric abdominal surface anatomy

Surface anatomy is fundamental to clinical and surgical practices. As the surface anatomy varies with age, the purpose of this study is to provide age-standardized surface markings for the abdomen in children. A total of 155 abdominal computed tomography scans of healthy children aged 0-18 years were categorized into six groups, and the surface anatomy of the major vascular structures, solid viscera, and anatomical planes in the abdomen was analyzed. The vertebral levels of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and hepatic portal vein formation were higher in the youngest age group, whereas the levels of the inferior mesenteric artery, formation of the inferior vena cava, and renal arteries did not differ with age. The right kidney lay between T12 and L3 and the left at T11-L3; however, both kidneys were in lower positions in younger children. The spleen was most commonly located between the 8th and 11th ribs except in toddlers. In all age groups, the hepatic portal vein formation was within the transpyloric plane and the aortic bifurcation was above the supracristal plane. In vivo reassessment of the surface anatomy enables the substantial variability of surface landmarks to be highlighted. This study demonstrates that taking account of age-related variations will increase the accuracy and therefore the clinical relevance of surface anatomy.

A Helpful Tool in the Renal Surgery Armamentarium: Dorsal Lumbotomy nephrectomy for Tumor in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

OBJECTIVE

To compare operative outcomes between the dorsal lumbotomy (DL) and laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) approaches for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing nephrectomy. DL operative technique is also described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing DL nephrectomy at Emory University from 2008-2020. Cases were matched with control patients with ESRD who had undergone LN. Parameters evaluated included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, postoperative narcotic requirements, and complication rates. Statistical analysis performed with SPSS.

RESULTS

43 DL patients and 86 LN patients were assessed. DL had shorter total OR time (173min vs 198min; P = 0.001) and surgery time (101min vs 135min; P<0.001) compared to LN. There was a trend towards decreased mean length of stay among the DL group (2.65d vs 3.14d; P = 0.069) as well as daily narcotic requirement measured in oral morphine equivalents (54.8mg/day vs 73.6mg/day, P = 0.051). There were no differences in estimated blood loss, perioperative complication rates, ICU admissions, or 30-day readmissions. Limitations include retrospective design and small sample size.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with ESRD, DL was found to be safe and effective compared to LN, with shorter operative times, a trend towards decreased length of stay and post-operative narcotic requirements, and similar perioperative complication rates. DL should be considered as an approach for nephrectomy in this patient population.

Lumboscopic-Assisted Pyeloplasty: A Single-Port, Retroperitoneoscopic Approach for Children with Pelvi-Ureteric Junction Obstruction

Introduction:

Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is one of the most common conditions presenting to a pediatric urologist. As laparoscopic or robotic-assisted pyeloplasty, either transperitoneal or retroperitoneal, involves intracorporeal suturing skills and has a long learning curve, they have not gained popularity among beginners in laparoscopy.

Objective:

We conducted a study to assess the results of a single-port, retroperitoneoscopic approach to renal access, i.e. lumboscopic-assisted pyeloplasty (LAP), by single surgeon at our institute.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of all children who underwent LAP from July 2013 to March 2018 was conducted. Patients who presented with PUJO and required surgical treatment were included. A single-port lumboscopy using coaxial telescope was performed in prone position in all patients. The renal pelvis was dissected and retrieved through the port site followed by extracorporeal hand-sewn pyeloplasty over a double–J stent or a nephrostent. The operative time, postoperative pain, surgical complications, duration of hospital stay, follow-up, and cosmesis at 6 months postsurgery were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 96 children were included (72 males and 24 females), with the age at operation ranging from 3 months to 10 years (mean = 4.9 years). All patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Two patients had a superficial wound infection, and one patient was converted to open approach due to excessive bleeding. The average operating time was 80 ± 22.5 min, the median duration of hospital stay was 3 days, and the average scar length at 3 months was 15.6 ± 0.4 mm. Follow-up renogram (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) showed satisfactory postpyeloplasty drainage pattern in 93 children while three showed obstructive drainage curves.

Conclusion:

LAP can be performed safely with minimal retroperitoneal dissection, excellent cosmetic results, and minimal postoperative pain in children with PUJO. It has a shorter learning curve as compared to laparoscopic pyeloplasty as it involves time tested extracorporeal hand-sewn anastomosis.

Transverse Lumbotomy for Open Partial/Radical Nephrectomy: How I Do It

INTRODUCTION

Conventional open surgical techniques allow proper surgical management for renal malignancies but have their intrinsic drawbacks. The aim of this paper is to present our technique in minimal renal exposure while avoiding the intrinsic complications of conventional techniques.

METHODS

We described our technique, which can be easily understood and replicated by urologists performing open kidney surgery.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients had this technique done safely over the last 4 years, and 3 patients had this exposure changed into intraperitoneal extended wound for very large upper pole tumours. The median operating time was 70 min. No single patient required intraoperative blood transfusion. Median warm ischemic time was 9 min.

CONCLUSION

Transverse lumbotomy is a safe reproducible technique that allows proper kidney exposure through a relatively smaller wound and avoiding unnecessary auxiliary techniques as rib resection, pleural tear management, and intraperitoneal exposure.

Lumbotomy approach for upper urinary tract surgeries in adolescents: feasibility and challenges

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and challenges in a lumbotomy approach for performing upper urinary tract surgeries in adolescent children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-five adolescent children underwent various upper urinary tract surgeries from 2000 to 2012. In all patients, the kidneys and ureters were approached via a lumbotomy incision. The patients' characteristics were analysed from the hospital charts. Intraoperative and postoperative details were gathered from individual case files. Data were collected regarding: age, weight, gender, diagnosis, surgical procedure, anaesthetic details, any intraoperative problems encountered, postoperative pain, time to oral feed, length of hospitalisation and any complications.

RESULTS

The median age at surgery was 14 years (range 10-19). There were 42 boys and 13 girls. Median weight was 41 kg (range 28-52 kg). Surgeries performed were pyeloplasty, pyelolithotomy, nephroureterectomy and heminephrectomy. Mean duration of surgery was 80 min (range 60-130 min) with no special anaesthetic requirements. No intraoperative problems were encountered. In all patients, postoperative stay was uneventful with minimal analgesic requirements and oral feeding was started the very next day. There were no incision-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A lumbotomy incision is technically easy and safe, even in adolescent children, as an approach for upper urinary-tract surgeries.

Plasma rennin activity: Early indicator of renal injury in bilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction in children

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study is to analyze the early indicators of renal injury in children with bilateral pelviuretric junction obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated 23 children, 46 kidney units who were diagnosed with bilateral pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) and underwent unilateral or bilateral pyeloplasty between January 2001 and December 2011. Ipsilateral kidney biopsy was performed during pyeloplasty. Kidney biopsy results were divided into three categories. Pre-operative investigation included ultrasonography with the Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) grading, plasma rennin activity (PRA) and differential renal function (DRF).

RESULTS

Out of 23 children there were 17 (73.9%) boys while 6 (26.1%) girls. Median age at operation was 35.4 months (range: 9-60 months). Unilateral pyeloplasty was performed in 14 (60.8%), simultaneous bilateral pyeloplasty in 2 (8.6%) and sequential bilateral pyeloplasty in 7 (30.4%).

CONCLUSION

In bilateral PUJO where DRF and SFU grading of hydronephrosis did not correctly reflect renal injury, PRA showed a significant relationship with renal histopathologic grade and could be an early indicator of renal injury in bilateral PUJO.

Effect of ipsilateral ureteric obstruction on contralateral kidney and role of renin angiotensin system blockade on renal recovery in experimentally induced unilateral ureteric obstruction

Aims:

To study, the effects of ipsilateral ureteric obstruction on contralateral kidney and the role of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockade on renal recovery in experimentally induced unilateral ureteric obstruction.

Materials and Methods:

Unilateral upper ureteric obstruction was created in 96 adult Wistar rats that were reversed after pre-determined intervals. Losartan and Enalapril were given to different subgroups of rats following relief of obstruction.

Results:

The severity of dilatation on the contralateral kidney varied with duration of ipsilateral obstruction longer the duration more severe the dilatation. There is direct correlation between renal parenchymal damage, pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) fibrosis, inflammation and severity of pelvi-calyceal system dilatation of contralateral kidney with duration of ipsilateral PUJ obstruction.

Conclusions:

Considerable injury is also inflicted to the contralateral normal kidney while ipsilateral kidney remains obstructed. Use of RAS blocking drugs has been found to significantly improve renal recovery on the contralateral kidney. It can, thus, be postulated that contralateral renal parenchymal injury was mediated through activation of RAS.

Lumbotomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney: A trap for the unwary

This is a report of a case of multicystic dysplastic half of a horseshoe kidney (HSK) at surgery for multicystic kidney. During the surgery, through a lumbotomy approach, there was inadvertent injury to a lower polar artery and the pelvis of the normal contralateral half of the HSK, leading to a stormy postoperative course. This report emphasizes the need for accurate preoperative diagnosis before embarking on a lumbotomy, and also reviews the entity of multicystic dysplasia in one half of a HSK.