Is Postoperative Arteriovenous Fistula Still a Concern After En Bloc Stapling of the Renal Hilum During Laparoscopic Nephrectomy?

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy

In addition to its established advantages, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RN) poses a unique set of challenges over traditional open surgery. In this study, we discuss preoperative considerations and detailed steps for laparoscopic RN. We review the transabdominal approach in detail, including patient positioning, equipment, and port placement in addition to the surgical steps. Intraoperative decisions such as adrenal management, renal preservation, and tumor identification are reviewed. Common complications of laparoscopic renal surgery are also summarized.

Staplers or clips?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of vessel controlling devices for renal pedicle ligation in laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND

Controlling of the renal vessels is a critical step in live donor nephrectomy (LDN). Currently, mainly 2 devices, Hem-o-Lok clips and staplers, are utilized to control vessels during LDN. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to compare the safety and the efficacy of the 2 devices and to identify the better one in LDN. A systematic search for related publications in the databases of PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through February 2018 was performed. Eight studies were selected and evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis result showed that utilization of Hem-o-Lok clips resulted in greater amount of estimated blood loss (mean differences [MD]: 40.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.37-75.84) and longer time of warm ischemia (WIT) (MD: 55.61; 95% CI 36.79-74.43) than using staplers. Residual vascular length of grafts in clip group was longer than that in stapler group (MD: 2.51; 95% CI 0.78-4.24). However, the differences in primary outcomes such as device failure rate, death rate, and severe hemorrhage rate, were not significant between these 2 groups. In addition, utilization of Hem-o-Lok clips costed approximate $400 lower than staplers per patient.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that Hem-o-Lok clips and staplers have the similar function in LDN renal ligation, regarding the device failure rate, death rate, and severe hemorrhage rate. However, the surgeons would benefit from the clips in terms of the residue length of vessels, these outstanding features provide operation convenience and flexibility, such as right-sided donor nephrectomies, early vascular bifurcation, and rare vascular variation. In addition, the clips have potential economic advantages. In some developing countries, it would reduce the healthcare expenditure.

En Bloc Stapling of the Renal Hilum During Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A Double-institutional Analysis of Safety and Efficacy

OBJECTIVE

To explore the safety and efficacy of en bloc stapling of the renal hilum (EBSH) during laparoscopic nephrectomy (LNx) in a large double-institution cohort with an extended follow-up period.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing LNx with EBSH between 2008 and 2014 at 2 academic medical centers. Data analyzed included tumor size, tumor pathology, operative time, estimated blood loss, and perioperative or postoperative complications. Evaluation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation was assessed by postoperative imaging studies, physical examination, or new-onset diastolic hypertension.

RESULTS

A total of 428 patients (mean age: 63 years) underwent LNx, of which there were a total of 433 renal units with EBSH (226 left renal units, 207 right renal units). Mean operative time was 169 minutes (range: 51-489 minutes). Mean estimated blood loss was 155 mL (range: 5 mL-2000 mL). Mean tumor size was 5.6 cm (range: 0.9-14.5 cm). EBSH was performed on 69 patients with chronic infectious and inflammatory benign conditions. Three hundred (70%) patients received post-procedural imaging. No patients developed clinical or radiographic evidence of AVF at a mean follow-up of 51 months.

CONCLUSION

EBSH during LNx is efficient, effective, and safe. This large series lends further support that EBSH during LNx may not be associated with any significant risk of AVF formation at extended follow-up. We advocate that this technique is a safe alternative to ligating the renal artery and vein during LNx.

Safety and Efficacy of En Bloc Renal Hilar Vascular Staple Ligation: A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

We reviewed the literature on the safety of en bloc ligation. We also performed a meta-analysis of the effect of using this technique with vascular staplers on perioperative factors compared to conventional renal pedicle dissection and isolated staple ligation of the renal artery and vein.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed to include all primary studies related to the safety of en bloc ligation of the renal hilum. After exclusion criteria were applied 9 studies were identified for review, of which 4 included a control group and were used in the meta-analysis. The primary end point was the incidence of arteriovenous fistula. Secondary end points were procedure duration, blood loss and the number of perioperative complications.

RESULTS

None of the total population of 595 patients in whom en bloc ligation was performed for nephrectomy were diagnosed with arteriovenous fistula formation at an average postoperative followup of 26.5 months. When comparing en bloc and isolated ligation of the renal artery and vein, the meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in procedure duration for en bloc nephrectomy. There was no difference in estimated blood loss or the number of complications.

CONCLUSION

En bloc ligation appears to be as safe as and potentially more beneficial in terms of perioperative factors than conventional renal pedicle dissection and isolated vascular ligation.

Simplifying laparoscopic nephrectomy: the inferior approach with en bloc stapling of the renal hilum

Introduction:

Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is likely the most common laparoscopic procedure performed by general urologists without formal laparoscopic training. The traditional technique is cumbersome because it entails making an early approach to the hilum with the risk of bleeding and need for conversion. We perform a different technique that we believe is simpler to learn and to teach. It consists of a complete dissection of the inferior and posterior aspects of the kidney, followed by en bloc stapling of the renal hilum. The present report is a detailed description of our technique including outcomes and complications.

Materials and Methods:

Perioperative data of 129 consecutive patients who underwent LN between November 2003 and September 2007 were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Complications were reported using the Clavien classification system, and follow-up was performed according to our institution's protocol and included physical examination, blood count, blood chemistry, and renal function tests at every visit, in addition to abdominal computed tomography scan six months after surgery. Additional imaging was scheduled according to disease stage and grade.

Results:

Mean patient age, tumor size, and operative time were 63 ± 15.6 years, 6.3 ± 2.4 cm, and 128 ± 41.4 minutes, respectively. Median estimated blood loss was 0 mL (0.200). Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3.1% of patients, and 8% of the patients had a blood transfusion. Complications were recorded in 26% of the patients; 91% of them had Clavien grade scores of 1 or 2.

Conclusion:

We present a standardized technique for LN. Its main advantage is that postpones any manipulation of the hilum to a later step during the procedure when it is easy to identify and control. This decreases early bleeding and main vascular complications.

Safety of en bloc ligation of the renal hilum during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: a randomized controlled trial

AIM

To evaluate the safety of en bloc stapler ligation of the renal vascular pedicle during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Clinical data were collected prospectively from 70 patients who underwent either en bloc stapling of the renal hilum (n=35) (Group A) or the separate ligation method (n=35) (Group B) to treat renal cell carcinoma. To evaluate the incidence of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), blood pressure and heart rate were measured, and abdominal auscultation was performed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. Abdominal computed tomography was also performed at 6 and 12 months post-surgery. In addition, preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes (such as operation time and estimated blood loss [EBL]) were examined.

RESULTS

Both operation time and EBL were lower for Group A: operative time, Group A versus Group B, 60.26±10.94 minutes versus 67.51±10.49 minutes (P=.007); EBL, Group A versus Group B, 33.53±13.46 mL versus 49.14±32.21 mL (P=.011). No statistically significant differences were noted in either of the postoperative variables (blood pressure and heart rate), and there was no clinical evidence of bruit or AVF at 12 months post-surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

No AVF was observed after en bloc ligation upon clinical follow-up or on radiological evaluation.

Current status of en bloc stapling of the renal hilum during laparoscopic nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Increasing literature has been published lately addressing the safety and efficacy of en bloc stapling of the renal hilum during laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy. The aim of this review was to analyze the available literature on en bloc stapling of the renal hilum and to complement it with technical issues that are required, according to our vast experience in en bloc and separate stapling, to safely control the hilum with this technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PubMed search using the terms "en bloc," "nephrectomy," and "laparoscopy" was conducted. We identified seven publications that have looked into hilar stapling technique.

RESULTS

Seven publications were found, which included a total of 434 patients who underwent en bloc stapling of the renal hilum. No complications specifically ascribable to this type of hilar control were encountered. No cases of postoperative arteriovenous fistula have been reported.

CONCLUSIONS

En bloc stapling has become an established method to secure the renal hilum during laparoscopic nephrectomy and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. Although no cases of postoperative arteriovenous fistula formation have been reported with the use of modern titanium staplers, longer follow-up is necessary to ascertain that it does not occur in the late postoperative period. We believe that well-trained laparoscopic surgeons should master this technique in both emergency and elective situations.