Do nonspecific deep corticomedullary sutures performed during partial nephrectomy adequately control major vascular and collecting system injury?

The Role of Intraoperative Ultrasonography Associated with Clampless Technique in Three-Dimensional Retroperitoneoscopic Laparoscopic Enucleation of Completely Endophytic Renal Tumors

Objectives: To evaluate perioperative and functional outcomes of clampless laparoscopic tumor enucleation for completely endophytic renal tumors with the guide of intraoperative ultrasonography. Methods: We analyzed patients with clinically completely endophytic tumors, renal tumors, who underwent clampless three-dimensional (3D) retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic tumor enucleation between January 2012 and January 2021. Patients with exophytic tumors were excluded. Intraoperative ultrasonography was used to map out the mass in all surgeries. Results: Overall, 57 patients underwent clampless 3D retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic tumor enucleation. Mean surgical time was 131 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 202 mL. Mean hospital stay was 4.7 days. Major and minor postoperative complications occurred, respectively, in 3 and 10 cases. Only a patient had a positive surgical margin. One-year renal function did not differ from baseline. Conclusion: Our study showed that clampless laparoscopic enucleation guided by laparoscopic ultrasonography ensured satisfactory outcomes for completely intrarenal tumors, with excellent renal function preservation 1 year after surgery.

Clampless Laparoscopic Tumor Enucleation for Exophytic Masses Greater Than 4 cm: Is Renorrhaphy Necessary?

Objective: To demonstrate the safety of clampless 3D laparoscopic tumor enucleation (cLTE) for exophytic T1b kidney masses, avoiding suture to achieve hemostasis. Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2021, 241 consecutive patients with an exophytic renal tumor underwent sutureless cLTE. Patients with predominantly endophytic growth or tumors 4 mm closer to the collecting system less were excluded. In all cases, an attempt was made to accomplish surgery without suturing kidney parenchyma. Data were obtained from a retrospective review of history and physical examinations, operative and pathology reports, anesthesia records during the hospital stay, and follow-up visits. Results: Among 241 patients who underwent cLTE, 148 had cT1a and 93 had cT1b renal tumor. The median tumor size was 32 mm, and the median R.E.N.A.L. (radius exophytic/endophytic nearness anterior/posterior location) score was 6. Renorrhaphy was necessary in 5 cases. The median operative time (OT) was 100 minutes, and the estimated blood loss (EBL) was 150 mL. The median 24-hour decrease in hemoglobin was 1.8 g/dL. The median length of stay was 4 days. Nineteen patients had postoperative complications: 3 cases had Clavien-Dindo (CD) 3a or more, 6 had CD2, and 10 had CD1. Comparing the T1a and T1b groups, except for the median OT and the EBL, no significant differences were observed in all the other variables analyzed. In both groups, renal function was preserved after 1 year from surgery. Conclusion: Our experience showed that sutureless cLTE is safe and feasible for T1b tumors leading to radical oncological outcomes and preserving renal function.

Clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using monopolar coagulation with or without N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel technique for clampless and sutureless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) using monopolar coagulation with or without N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

METHODS

From February 2015 to October 2018, we performed clampless and sutureless LPN using monopolar coagulation with or without NBCA on 142 patients. The tumors were resected with cold scissor. The tumor beds were repeatedly coagulated with a monopolar hook in spray and fulgurate modes. NBCA was sprayed when bleeding was observed after coagulation in 98 patients. We compared outcomes in the NBCA and non-NBCA groups.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 55 years (range 20-86). Mean tumor size was 3.2 cm (range 1.0-10.6). Mean RENAL nephrometry score was 5 (range 4-8). Mean operative time was 120 min (range 40-200). Mean estimated blood loss was 100 ml (range 10-500). Mean eGFR changes were 2.3 ml/min. Two patients had positive surgical margins. Three patients received blood transfusions. No patients had urine leakage. Patients receiving NBCA had larger tumors (3.0 vs 2.0 cm, p < 0.001), higher RENAL nephrometry scores (5.59 vs 4.47, p = 0.004), and higher E item scores (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of monopolar coagulation with NBCA in clampless and sutureless LPN for renal tumors with low RENAL nephrometry scores is safe and effective. For patients with exophytic renal tumors less than 2 cm, NBCA is not necessary.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without intracorporeal suturing

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy has gained wider acceptance as a surgical technique in treating small renal tumors. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) still remains a technically demanding surgery to this day. We present our technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, one that is performed without intracorporeal suturing.

METHODS

We performed LPN on 31 patients with localized renal parenchymal tumor (stage T1). The procedures were done from September 2009 to March 2015 at the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and the Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital. Our technique involves the covering of renal defect layer by layer with FloSeal, Tisseel and a fat pad after monopolar coagulation.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were included in this study. Mean patient age was 53 years old (range 39-70). Mean tumor size was 2.9 cm (range 1.8-6.3). Mean RENAL nephrometry score was 5.3 (range 4-7). The average operation time was 188 min (range 120-290), and the average warm ischemic time was 19.0 min (range 9-26). Mean estimated blood loss was 171 ml (range 10-650), with no postoperative bleeding among the total 31 patients. No recurrent tumors were identified at a mean follow-up of 29 months postoperatively. The mean change in eGFR was 6.5 (ml/min/m2).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a feasible surgical method for most patients with stage 1 tumor. Our technique has shown to reduce warm ischemic time significantly and provide patients with excellent functional outcomes without affecting oncological results. With this technique, surgeons can perform LPN with more efficiency and with fewer complications.

A combination of hemostatic agents may safely replace deep medullary suture during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in a pig model

PURPOSE

We assessed whether a combination of the fibrin tissue adhesive Tisseel® (human fibrinogen and thrombin) plus the hemostatic matrix FloSeal® (bovine derived gelatin matrix/human thrombin) could safely replace the conventional deep medullary suture without compromising outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Laparoscopic mid pole and one-third partial nephrectomy was performed on the right kidney of 12 female pigs. The only difference between the 2 groups of 6 pigs each was the use of a fibrin tissue adhesive plus hemostatic matrix combination in group 2 instead of the deep medullary running suture in control group 1. Renal scans and angiograms were performed at baseline and before sacrifice at 5-week followup. Retrograde in vivo pyelogram was also done.

RESULTS

No significant difference was seen in operative parameters or postoperative course between the groups. Renal scans revealed a statistically insignificant trend toward greater uptake loss in group 1 and angiograms showed 3 major vessel occlusions in that group. No active bleeding was detected. Those 3 kidneys had significantly poorer postoperative uptake on renal scan than that of other kidneys (18.6% vs 39.4%, p = 0.013). Only 1 small asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm was noted in group 1. No urine leakage was found in either group. No major vessel occlusion, pseudoaneurysm or urinary complications developed in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Even after deep one-third partial nephrectomy FloSeal with concurrent Tisseel appeared sufficient to control major medullary vascular injuries and replace the deep medullary conventional suture without compromising operative outcomes. The potential advantages seen during functional and vascular examinations by decreasing the risk of unnecessary segmental vessel occlusion need further clinical evaluation.

Followup of unilateral renal function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

PURPOSE

We assessed the change in unilateral renal function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to determine factors affecting the course and factors predicting the postoperative glomerular filtration rate decrease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From prospectively collected data on 116 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy we evaluated the glomerular filtration rate of the operated kidney using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scans done preoperatively, and 3 months, and 1, 2 and 3 years postoperatively. Kidney volume was measured from the arterial phase of dynamic computerized tomography of the kidney done before and 3 months postoperatively to calculate the volume reduction. We analyzed clinicopathological and operative factors with the potential to influence the perioperative glomerular filtration rate decrease.

RESULTS

In all patients the glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased by 3 months postoperatively. It remained significantly lower compared to preoperative function despite the trend toward progressive recovery, which was noted until 3 years postoperatively. Recovery in individuals was significantly influenced by patient age (less than 55 vs 55 years or greater), medical comorbidities, tumor size (less than 2.5 vs 2.5 cm or greater), kidney volume reduction (less than 20% vs 20% or greater) and collecting system repair at surgery. Independent determinants of postoperative renal function were the preoperative glomerular filtration rate (β = 0.410, 95% CI 0.424-1.084; p <0.001), the percent of renal parenchymal volume reduction (β = 0.273, 95% CI 0.168-0.766; p = 0.003) and pelvicalyceal system repair (β = 0.284, 95% CI 2.960-15.788; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Function of the kidney undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy progressively recovers after a significant decrease immediately after surgery. Although recovery differs according to patient age, comorbidities and tumor size, factors that independently predicted the postoperative glomerular filtration rate decrease were the renal parenchymal volume reduction and pelvicalyceal system repair.