Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy for stage T1 and large stage T2 renal tumors

State-of-the-art surgical management of renal cell carcinoma

There is a recognizable increase in the incidence of renal cell carcinoma and a parallel rise in the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma has occurred. However, recent literature shows that not all small, suspected renal cell carcinoma needs to be treated surgically, especially in elderly patients or those with multiple medical comorbidities. The surgical options for renal cell carcinoma have expanded from traditional open nephrectomy to partial nephrectomy and, at present, more recent outcomes data are available for the laparoscopic versions of these surgeries. Short-term results of thermal ablative technology (radiofrequency and cryoablation) show real promise as minimally invasive therapies. This review examines the most up-to-date outcomes and future directions of the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy to treat clinically localized renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (HARRN) for treating clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 46 patients who underwent HARRN and 50 patients who underwent conventional open radical nephrectomy (ORN) at our institution for clinical localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

RESULTS

The median follow-up period of the HARRN group was 56.5 months (range: 14.6-78.7 months); for the ORN group, the median follow-up period was 110.8 months (range: 15.5-123 months). Patient age, sex, body mass index, pathologic parameters, and classification based on the guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists were not significantly different between the two groups. The HARRN group had a significantly longer operative time (218 minutes vs. 178 minutes, p = 0.003) and less blood loss (203 mL vs. 670 mL, p < 0.001). The complication rates of the ORN and HARRN groups were similar (8% and 4.3%, respectively, p = 0.46). No conversions to an open procedure or intraoperative mortality occurred in the HARRN group. The disease-free and disease-specific survival rates were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that HARRN is a feasible, minimally invasive treatment for managing clinically organ-confined RCC with a good long-term oncological outcome.

Laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy for large renal tumors: a long-term prospective comparison

PURPOSE

The role of laparoscopy in the management of large renal tumors (more than 7 cm) is not clearly established. We prospectively evaluated the feasibility, safety and long-term results of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for large renal tumors (T2N0M0) and compared the results with those of open radical nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1998 and 2006, 112 patients with clinical stage T2N0M0 renal carcinoma underwent radical nephrectomy at our institution. Clinical data were prospectively collected after categorizing the patients into group 1-41 with laparoscopy and group 2-71 with open surgery. The choice of procedure was nonrandomized and it depended on patient and surgeon preference and experience.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were contemporary and comparable in terms of age, body mass index and mean tumor size (9.9 and 10.1 cm, respectively). Concomitant adrenalectomy was performed in 14 patients (34%) in group 1 and in 29 (41%) in group 2. Limited (hilar) lymphadenectomy was performed in 30 patients (73%) in group 1 and in 58 (81%) in group 2. Group 1 patients experienced significantly less blood loss, and had a decreased analgesic requirement, shorter hospital stay and more rapid convalescence, although they required longer operative time (180.8 vs 165.3 minutes, p=0.029). The 2 groups were followed for a similar period (mean 51.4 vs 57.2 months) and there was no difference in 5-year survival data. There were no local or port site recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for clinical stage T2 renal tumors is effective with the advantages of less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, decreased analgesic requirement and rapid recovery compared with open radical nephrectomy. Long-term results are also similar in the 2 groups of patients. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for large tumors is a technically difficult, challenging procedure and it should be attempted by surgeons with significant experience.

Long-Term Follow-up of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for Organ-Confined Renal Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (HALRN) in treating clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

We analyzed the data from 54 patients who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (HALRN) and 70 patients who underwent conventional open radical nephrectomy (ORN) in our institution from January 1998 to December 2002 for clinical Stage T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 renal cell carcinoma. The data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the medical records. All specimens were confirmed by pathologic examination. We compared the surgical results and long-term oncologic outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period in the HALRN group was 44.5 months (range 16 to 73) and in the ORN group it was 68 months (range 43 to 93). Patient age, sex, body mass index, pathologic parameters, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were not significantly different between the two groups. The HALRN group had a significantly longer operative time (204 minutes versus 181 minutes, P = 0.03) and less blood loss (161 mL versus 630 mL, P <0.01). The complication rates for the ORN and HALRN groups were similar (10% and 7.4% respectively, P = 0.62). No conversions to an open procedure or intraoperative mortality occurred in the HALRN group. The average hospital stay, length of wound, and parenteral narcotic analgesic dose were significantly less in the HALRN group. The 5-year disease-free rate and disease-specific survival rate were comparable in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study have shown that HALRN is a less-invasive technique with 5-year disease-free and disease-specific survival rates comparable to those after ORN in treating patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.

[Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To present the number of cases of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. This study evaluates our results and difficulties of starting a progresive programme of laparoscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Between november 2003 and november 2005, 35 hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies were carried out, of a total of 45 laparoscopic nephrectomies. 22 radical nephrectomies, 3 simple nephrectomies and 10 nephroureterectomies. The average age of patients was 66 years (47-89). On average, they were overweight (IMC 28,3), with approximately 38% being obese. ASA 2.3 (1-4). The tumors measured 4.8cm on average, and 80% of these were T1. In 28.6% of the cases, they had previously undergone abdominal surgery.

RESULTS

One was undertaken in 2003, 17 in 2004, and 17 in 2005. The surgery time was 140 minutes, 130 minutes (80-210) in radical nephrectomies, 135 minutes (120-150) in simple nephrectomies and 163 minutes (80-240) in the nephroureterectomy. Patients began an oral diet 1.7 days later, and were able to get up 1.7 days later. In the case of obese patients, they began an oral diet 2.3 days later and were able to get up (2.4 days) later than those non obese cases. (1.5 and 1.4 days respectively). The average stay has been 5.8 days (3-15). The average stay of the cases without complications was 4.2 days and those that encountered complications 9.7 days. In no cases was there a need for a blood transfusion. In 11.4% we had major complications with an average stay of 11.7 days. In 5.7% of cases there were reconversions, and 5.7% of cases were reoperated. 17.1% had minor complications, with an average stay of 8.8 days

CONCLUSIONS

The advantage of hand-assisted nephrectomy is that it allows one to begin a laparoscopy, with a reduced learning time, and with satisfactory results, allowing the incorporation of laparoscopy surgery in hospitals with a reduced annual volume.

Meta-analysis of the complications of laparoscopic renal surgery: comparison of procedures and techniques

PURPOSE

We performed a meta-analysis of the literature to define the current expectations of complications during laparoscopic renal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

References were searched in the MEDLINE database from 1995 to 2004 using the terms complications and laparoscopic nephrectomy. Inclusion criteria were any series with greater than 20 cases, patient age older than 16 years and any complications listed for certain procedures, including laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, HA laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, LPN, HALPN, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, HA laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic simple nephrectomy, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. A data extraction form was created to categorize major or minor complications. A 5 member panel adhered to the strict criteria and extracted data from articles that met inclusion criteria. Data were entered into a spreadsheet and a meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Initial review identified 73 of 405 references that were acceptable for retrieval and data extraction, of which 56 met inclusion criteria. The overall major and minor complication rates of laparoscopic renal surgery were 9.5% and 1.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the major complication rates of LPN and HALPN (21.0% vs 3.3%, p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that patients who undergo laparoscopic renal surgery may have an overall major complication rate of 9.5%. The highest major complication rate is associated with technically challenging LPN (21%). There appears to be a significantly higher wound complication rate associated with HA surgery in comparison to that of standard laparoscopy (1.9% vs 0.2%, p <0.05).

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal masses >9.5 cm: Series comparison with open radical nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) for large renal masses (stage T2, mean size 9.7 cm) and compare outcomes with a similar cohort undergoing open radical nephrectomy (ORN).

METHODS

A nonrandomized comparison of 19 consecutive patients who underwent nephrectomy for renal masses >or=7 cm was performed. The HALN group was compared to the ORN group regarding demographic parameters and perioperative data, including blood loss, operating time, narcotic usage, hematocrit change, return to standard oral intake, length of hospital stay, and complications. Data collected prospectively and statistics used 2-tailed t-test analysis.

RESULTS

Patients underwent either ORN (mean tumor size 12.3 cm) or HALN (mean tumor size 9.7cm). Tumors up to 14 cm (n = 2) and pT3b, with renal vein thrombosis (n = 2), could be safely excised with HALN. There were no differences between the HALN and ORN groups regarding any demographic parameter. Blood loss, operating time, length of stay, parenteral narcotic use, and time to tolerating regular diet were all less statistically significant in the HALN group as compared to the ORN group (P < 0.05). Tumors >15 cm necessitated ORN.

CONCLUSIONS

HALN is technically feasible even for tumors with mean size >9.5 cm. There is a significant advantage to HALN over ORN regarding the intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. Tumors >or=15 cm should, in most cases, be performed with an open approach.

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy

Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches have been introduced to perform hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The efficacy and convalescence of both approaches were compared. Of 26 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 14 patients were treated by the transperitoneal approach and 12 by the retroperitoneal approach at the same institution. The mean operative time by transperitoneal approach was significantly shorter than retroperitoneal approach (236.4 and 280.0 minutes, respectively, P < 0.05), but there is a steeper learning in retroperitoneal approach. A significant increase in operative time was required with an increase in specimen weight (r = 0.591, P < 0.05). There were no differences in patient demographic, operative, and convalescence data between the both groups. Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is safe by either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal approach. Making enough retroperitoneal space for the hand and instrument enables us to use the retroperitoneal approach readily. Patients with abundant fatty tissues around the kidney should be treated by the transperitoneal approach.