Current status of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

Trocar site recurrence after robotic partial nephrectomy to treat of renal cell carcinoma

Introduction:

Wound seeding during surgical excision of malignant tumor is known problem in the oncologic surgery. Trocar site recurrence (TSR) is well described in laparoscopic oncologic surgery. Little has been reported about TSR after robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) performed for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we report on the incidence of TSR and demonstrate the presentation of this type of RCC recurrence.

Patients and Methods:

We reviewed prospectively collected data about patient who underwent RPN at our institute from September 2009 to March 2018. We reviewed the medical record of the patients who had the diagnosis of RCC on the final pathology. We identified the patient with TSR and demonstrated their presentation and treatment along with the outcome.

Results:

A total of 335 patients underwent RPN during the study period for renal mass. Two hundred and sixty-nine (80.3%) patients were found to have RCC on the final pathologic evaluation of their mass. We identified two patients (0.7% of all the RCC in the study) who developed TSR during an average follow-up period of 31 months (ranging from 18 to 72 months). The first recurrence appeared 18 months after the surgery. The second recurrence presented 72 months after RPN. Both cases underwent open surgical excision of the trocar site, in which the recurrence appeared.

Conclusion:

TSR is potential type of RCC recurrence after RPN, though it is rare and underreported. Special attention should be given to examine the trocar site during the surveillance follow-up of RCC treated with RPN. It can develop up to 72 months after the surgery.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy with a standard laparoscopic ultrasound probe in treating endophytic renal tumor

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience in treating endophytic renal tumor by robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) with a standard laparoscopic ultrasound probe and our original approach for separating renal mass.

METHODS

All patients with endophytic renal tumor who underwent RPN in our department from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All surgeries were performed by transperitoneally by a single, experienced surgeon. Baseline characteristics, tumor characteristics, operative profile and follow-up data were collected.

RESULTS

Among these 29 patients, 23 patients were male. The mean age of patients was 47.42 years old. 69% (20/29) tumors were completely endophytic tumors. The average tumor size was 3.1 cm. The average R.E.N.A.L. score was 9.0. Tumors from 3 patients were pathologically confirmed to be renal angiomyolipomas. And the rest were malignant including 23 clear cell renal cell carcinoma and 3 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. The mean operative time was 3.0 h. The mean warm ischemia time was 22.3 min. All tumor margins were pathologically confirmed negative. No patient needed blood transfusion. Two patients presented had Grade II complication. Both of them had a fever after surgery with body temperature over 38 °C, leading to a prolonged postoperative hospitalization time. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 6.8 days. During mean 21.3-month follow-up, no patient was confirmed to relapse by CT scan.

CONCLUSION

RPN with a standard laparoscopic ultrasound probe is safe, effective and feasible in treating endophytic renal tumor. Our original approach for separating renal mass can avoid some problems caused by the standard laparoscopic ultrasound probe.

The incidence and pattern of renal cell carcinoma recurrence after robotic partial nephrectomy

Background

Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is a rapidly growing treatment for small renal mass (SRM). In fact, RPN has shown good functional and oncologic outcome. In this manuscript, we are reporting on the incidence and pattern of recurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with RPN.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed prospectively collected data of patients who underwent RPN between September 2009 and March 2018. We selected patients with final pathologic diagnosis of RCC after the resection of their SRM. We described the incidence and pattern of recurrence in the patients who had it.

Results

A total of 335 patients with SRM underwent RPN. We found 269 patients to have RCC on the final pathologic evaluation of the SRM. Eight cases of recurrence were found with a recurrence rate of 2.9% after the mean follow-up period of 31 months (range 18-72). The pattern of recurrence presented as follows: two patients (0.7%) had trocar site recurrence (TSR), one patient (0.37%) had locoregional recurrence, and three patients (1.1%) had recurrence of the disease at the resection bed. Two patients (0.7%) developed second primary tumor in the other kidney. No cancer-related mortality occurred during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

TSR, locoregional recurrence, tumor bed recurrence, and contralateral tumor development are observed patterns of RCC recurrence after RPN. Recurrence was seen in up to 72 months. RPN provides great cancer control and high cure rate when utilized to treat RCC presenting as SRM.

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for the Treatment of Small Renal Cell Carcinoma

Introduction

The authors compared the oncologic outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) for the treatment of T1 stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective data analysis of a high-volume single tertiary centre. Patients were treated with RFA or RPN following multidisciplinary decision making. Only histologically proven RCCs were included. Baseline demographics were collected, and PADUA scores of tumour features were calculated to standardize baseline anatomy. Peri-operative complications, kidney function and oncological outcomes were compared.

Results

Sixty-three cases were included in each group. Baseline renal function was poorer in RFA, and 16/63 RFA patients had tumours in single kidneys compared to 1/63 RPN cases (p < 0.001). Length of stay was shorter in RFA (1 vs. 3 days, p < 0.0001). Post-procedure renal function decline at 30 days was significantly less in RFA [(−0.8) ± 9.6 vs. (−16.1) ± 19.5 mls/min/1.73 m²; p < 0.0001]. More minor complications were recorded in RPN (10/63 vs. 4/63, p = 0.15), but local recurrence was numerically higher in RFA (6/63 vs. 1/63, p = 0.11). Disease-free survival (DFS) was not significantly different (adjusted HR = 0.6, 95 % Cl 0.1–3.7; p = 0.60). Increasing tumour size was an independent predictor of local recurrence (adjusted HR = 1.7; 95 % Cl 1.1–2.6 per cm; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Both RPN and RFA offer very good oncological outcomes for the treatment of T1 RCC with low peri-operative morbidity and similar oncologic outcomes. RFA demonstrated fewer peri-operative complications and better preservation of renal function, whereas RPN had an insignificantly lower local recurrence rate. RFA should be offered alongside RPN for selected cases.

Early Experience in Da Vinci Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: An Australian Single Centre Series

Introduction and Objectives. To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) technique in an Australian setting. Methods. Between November 2010 and July 2014, a total of 76 patients underwent 77 RAPN procedures using the Da Vinci Surgical System© at our institution. 58 of these procedures were performed primarily by the senior author (PB) and are described in this case series. Results. Median operative time was 4 hours (range 1.5–6) and median warm ischaemic time (WIT) was 8 minutes (range 0–30) including 11 cases with zero ischaemic time. All surgical margins were clear with the exception of one patient who had egress of intravascular microscopic tumour outside the capsule to the point of the resection margin. Complications were identified in 9 patients (15.8%). Major complications included conversion to open surgery due to significant venous bleeding (n = 1), reperfusion injury (n = 1), gluteal compartment syndrome (n = 1), DVT/PE (n = 1), and readmission for haematuria (n = 1). Conclusion. This series demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the RAPN technique in an Australian setting when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons in a dedicated high volume robotic centre.

A nonrandomized prospective comparison of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy in the elderly to a younger cohort: an analysis of 339 patients with intermediate-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in elderly patients focusing on perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes in comparison with a younger cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From a prospectively maintained institutional review board-approved database, 339 patients were divided into 2 groups defined by age ≥ 70 (n = 71) or <70 years (n = 268) at the time of RAPN. They were compared for perioperative outcomes and complications, including risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage progression. The standard t test and chi square test were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression identified risk factors for progression of renal dysfunction. Kaplan-Meier estimates modeled tumor recurrence at 368 and 462 days in the elderly and young, respectively.

RESULTS

Elderly patients were more likely to have hypertension (86% vs 60%; P < .001) or coronary artery disease (27% vs 9%; P < .001), and rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and diabetes were also higher. Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the elderly (70 vs 82 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < .001). Twenty-four percent of elderly patients progressed in CKD stage as compared to 14% in the younger cohort (P = .08). Elderly age was not a statistically significant risk factor for CKD progression (relative risk, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-6.05; P = .11). Surgical and medical complication rates were similar between the cohorts (P = .75 and .80, respectively) as were Kaplan-Meier estimates of risk of tumor recurrence (P = .47). Limitations include nonrandomized, single-center study, and intermediate-term follow-up for oncologic outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients undergoing RAPN had no increased risk of perioperative complications. CKD progression and risk of oncologic recurrence were similar to younger patients at intermediate-term follow-up.

A review of training research and virtual reality simulators for the da Vinci surgical system

PHENOMENON: Virtual reality simulators are the subject of several recent studies of skills training for robot-assisted surgery. Yet no consensus exists regarding what a core skill set comprises or how to measure skill performance. Defining a core skill set and relevant metrics would help surgical educators evaluate different simulators.

APPROACH

This review draws from published research to propose a core technical skill set for using the da Vinci surgeon console. Publications on three commercial simulators were used to evaluate the simulators' content addressing these skills and associated metrics.

FINDINGS

An analysis of published research suggests that a core technical skill set for operating the surgeon console includes bimanual wristed manipulation, camera control, master clutching to manage hand position, use of third instrument arm, activating energy sources, appropriate depth perception, and awareness of forces applied by instruments. Validity studies of three commercial virtual reality simulators for robot-assisted surgery suggest that all three have comparable content and metrics. However, none have comprehensive content and metrics for all core skills. INSIGHTS: Virtual reality simulation remains a promising tool to support skill training for robot-assisted surgery, yet existing commercial simulator content is inadequate for performing and assessing a comprehensive basic skill set. The results of this evaluation help identify opportunities and challenges that exist for future developments in virtual reality simulation for robot-assisted surgery. Specifically, the inclusion of educational experts in the development cycle alongside clinical and technological experts is recommended.