Carcinological risks and retroperitoneal laparoscopy

Retroperitoneal renal laparoscopy

The retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach to the kidney offers a minimally invasive access that mimics the open surgical techniques of renal surgery. It allows renal surgery without violation of the peritoneal cavity with its attendant complications such as bowel injury and ileus. Over the last two decades, all renal surgery has been shown to be feasible through this technique. This includes complicated procedures such as a donor nephrectomy and radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell cancers. We began performing retroperitoneoscopic renal surgery in the early 1990s and have developed a number of modifications to existing techniques so as to make this surgery easy and cost effective. In this review, we discuss the evolution of retroperitoneoscopic renal surgery, the indications, techniques and outcome of all types of retroperitoneoscopic renal surgery.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a review

INTRODUCTION

We offer an overview of the intra-, peri- and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) with the endpoint to evaluate potential advantages of this approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an extensive Medline literature search (search terms "laparoscopic radical prostatectomy" and "radical prostatectomy") from 1990 until 2007. Only full-length English language articles identified during this search were considered for this analysis. A preference was given to the articles with large series with more than 100 patients. All pertinent articles concerning localized prostate cancer were reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Pure LRP has shown to be feasible and reproducible but it is difficult to learn. Potential advantages over open surgery have to be confirmed by longer-term follow-up and adequately designed clinical studies.

Open partial nephrectomy in the management of small renal masses

Introduction. Most of the kidney masses are being detected incidentally with smaller size due to widespread use of imaging modalities leading to increased RCC incidence worldwide with an earlier stage. This article reviews the role of open partial nephrectomy (PN) in the management of small renal masses. Material and Methods. Review of the English literature using MEDLINE has been performed between 1963–2008 on small renal masses, partial nephrectomy, kidney cancer, nephron sparing surgery (NSS), radical nephrectomy, laparoscopy, and surgical management. Special emphasis was given on the indications of NSS, oncological outcomes and comparison with open and laparoscopic PN. Results. Overall 68 articles including 31 review papers, 35 human clinical papers, 1 book chapter, and 1 animal research study were selected for the purpose of this article and were reviewed by the authors. Conclusions. Currently, open NSS still remains as the gold standard surgical treatment modality in patients with small renal masses.

Comparative Study of Oncologic Outcome of Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy and Standard Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To determine the oncologic safety of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU), we compared the long-term oncologic outcome of LNU versus open nephroureterectomy (ONU) in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 367 nephroureterectomy procedures were performed at our institutes for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma without distant metastases. Of 224 patients without concomitant or previous bladder cancer, 58 underwent LNU with open intact specimen retrieval plus open distal ureter and bladder cuff removal and 166 underwent ONU. Their data were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow-up was 13.6 months (range 14 to 34) for the LNU group and 28.0 months (range 14 to 36) for the ONU group.

RESULTS

Bladder recurrence was recognized in 19 patients (32.8%) after LNU at a median follow-up of 5.6 months compared with 63 patients (38.0%) after ONU. Local recurrence only developed in 2 patients (1.1%) after ONU. One port site metastasis occurred in a patient who had undergone LNU. Distant metastases developed in 10 patients (17.2 %) after LNU and 33 patients (19.9%) after ONU. The frequency of bladder recurrence, local recurrence, and distant metastases did not differ significantly between the two groups. The actual disease-free 2-year survival rates were similar (75.6% versus 81.7%). In all patients, the risk of metastases and death increased with advanced tumor stage and grade, but not by surgical procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

In the surgical management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, LNU does not negatively affect long-term oncologic control and can be considered an alternative modality. Tumor stage and grade are, however, important prognostic factors in the incidence of metastases and cancer-specific mortality.

The laparoscopic nephrectomy learning curve: a single centre's development of a de novo practice

OBJECTIVE

There has been a dramatic increase in the interest and practice of laparoscopic urology, with nephrectomy having become the commonest laparoscopic urological procedure. Compared with open nephrectomy, it results in reduced morbidity and shorter convalescence times while maintaining oncological safety. However, while these results predominately stem from institutions with well developed laparoscopic programmes, little is known about the results in centres that have newly adopted this technique. The introduction of a laparoscopic urological service at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital provided an opportunity to study these factors.

METHODS

Since the appointment in October 2000 of a urological surgeon (N Oakley) to develop the laparoscopic service, there have been over 200 laparoscopic procedures including 121 nephrectomies performed at this centre. Full details were collected for each of these cases, and in addition, compared with retrospective data for 50 open nephrectomies performed during the same time period.

RESULTS

With increased operator experience the median operative duration, complication, transfusion, and conversion rates significantly improved. While a learning curve was evident, the overall operative complication (9%) and conversion rates (6%) were low, in addition to patient morbidity (16.5%) and mortality (0%) rates, showing that this learning curve had no deleterious effects upon patient care. The median hospital stay was four days, which reduced to three with experience and was significantly shorter than for open nephrectomy at this institution (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The development of a successful laparoscopic programme can be achieved with a comparatively short learning curve and without detriment to the patient provided the necessary steps are observed.

Urological Retroperitoneoscopic Surgery for Patients with Prior Intra-Abdominal Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether previous intra-abdominal surgery is associated with surgical outcome in patients undergoing urological retroperitoneoscopic surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred seventeen cases of urological retroperitoneoscopic surgery, including 78 cases of retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (RN) for localized renal tumor and 39 cases of retroperitoneoscope-assisted radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper urinary tract cancer, were evaluated. Thirty (38.5%) of the 78 patients who underwent RN and 13 (33.3%) of the 39 patients who underwent RNU had a history of intra-abdominal surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: those who had undergone prior intra-abdominal surgery (OP+) and those who had not (OP-). Patients' backgrounds, degree of surgical invasiveness, and period of convalescence were compared between the OP+ and OP- groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the OP+ and OP- groups in terms of background, surgical invasiveness or convalescence, except for age in the patients who had undergone RN. Complications in the studied cases were unrelated to any history of intra-abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSION

Previous intra-abdominal surgery is not associated with a negative outcome of urological retroperitoneoscopic surgery in patients with localized renal tumors and those with upper urinary tract cancer.

Laparoscopic specimen extraction: morcellation

OBJECTIVES

To review our experience with intact extraction and morecellation of nephrectomy specimen, and the advantages and disadvantages of morcellation indicated by current reports.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a previous study, 56 consecutive patients undergoing radical and simple transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy were prospectively evaluated. Morcellation specimens (33) were extracted at the umbilical or lateral port sites and intact specimens (23) through an infraumbilical incision. Data were obtained on pathology, narcotic requirements, hospital stay, complications, estimated blood loss, size of renal mass based on preoperative imaging, specimen weight and extraction incision length.

RESULTS

The mean incision length was 1.2 cm in the morcellation group and 7.1 cm in the intact group (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in pain or recovery between the groups. In two cases of tumor nephrectomy, microscopic invasion of the perinephric adipose tissue in the intact specimen group were up-staged from clinical T1 to pT3a disease; there was no change in patient treatment based on this information.

CONCLUSIONS

With proper technique, morcellation is safe for extracting renal tumours. The specimen can be evaluated for histology but not for pathological staging, limiting its use with transitional cell carcinoma. Port-site seeding is rare, and does not appear to be more frequent than with open nephrectomy. Although morcellation is cosmetically more desirable, there was no significant advantage in operating time, pain or duration of hospital stay. The choice od extraction method depends on the surgeon's preference and patient choice.

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: is it better than open surgery?

OBJECTIVE

In 1991, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy has been introduced as a treatment option for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Based on the review of the current literature and personal experience we want to analyze the actual results of this technique in comparison to open surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search and reviewed the literature on laparoscopic and open nephroureterectomy between 1991 and 2004 (n = 1365 patients) including the results of 45 patients who underwent either laparoscopic (n = 23) or open nephroureterectomy (n = 21) during the same period of time at the Klinikum Heilbronn. Demographic, perioperative and follow-up data were compared.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed a slightly longer OR-time (276.6 vs. 220.1 min), and significantly lower blood loss (240.9 vs. 462.9 ml) in the laparoscopic series. No differences of minor (12.9 vs. 14.1%) or major complication rate (5.6 vs. 8.3%) were observed. All nine comparative studies revealed a significant dose reduction of the morphine-equivalents after laparoscopy. In all ten comparative series the hospital stay was shorter after laparoscopy, but only in 6 series the difference was statistically significant. The frequency of bladder recurrence (24.0 vs. 24.7%), local recurrence (4.4 vs. 6.3%), and distant metastases (15.5% vs. 15.2) did not differ significantly in both groups. The actual disease-free two-year survival rates (75.2 vs. 76.2%) were similar. The five-year survival rates averaged 81.2% in the three laparoscopic (n = 113 pat.) and 61% in the ten open series (n = 681 pat.) Six port site metastases were reported in 377 (1.6%) analyzed patients occurring 3 to 12 months following laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Open radical nephroureterectomy still represents the golden standard for the management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, however, laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery without deteriorating the oncological outcome. In case of advanced tumors (pT3,N+) open surgery is still recommended.

Evaluation of water jet morcellation as an alternative to hand morcellation of renal tissue ablation during laparoscopic nephrectomy: an in vitro study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of morcellation with a new prototype device that uses high-pressure water flow as a cutting/ablating tool and compare it with standard manual morcellation.

METHODS

Ten porcine kidneys were morcellated with the new water jet device and ten with conventional manual morcellation. Morcellation in all cases was performed in commercially available entrapment bags. The two groups were evaluated for morcellation time, fragment size, and perforation rates (macroscopic and microscopic).

RESULTS

The kidney size in both groups was similar. Morcellation was significantly (P <0.0001) faster in the water jet morcellator group than in the hand morcellation group (5.6 versus 11.9 minutes). The macroscopic evaluation after filling the entrapment bags with normal saline revealed 4 (40%) and 2 (20%) pinhole perforations in the water jet and hand morcellation groups, respectively. The microscopic evaluation revealed an 80% perforation rate in the water jet group and a 20% rate in the hand morcellator group. The size of the resulting fragments in the water jet group was not available, because the morcellated kidney was transformed in a semiliquid form. Therefore, cytology evaluation of the tissue was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Water jet technology can be used to morcellate renal porcine tissue effectively. It is faster, but the problems of safety and histologic evaluation must be solved before this promising technology can be used in a clinical setting.

Renal cell carcinoma: modern surgical approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In the past decade, minimally invasive therapy options for renal cell carcinoma have been devised in an attempt to minimize operative morbidity while achieving comparable oncologic and functional outcomes. Herein, we evaluate the new developments related to the modern surgical and energy ablative techniques for renal cell carcinoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

When compared with the open counterpart, laparoscopic radical and partial nephrectomies have equivalent operative time, decreased blood loss, superior recovery, and improved cosmesis. Nowadays, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be performed for pT2 tumors (up to 15 cm), and level I renal vein thrombus is not a formal contraindication for the laparoscopic procedure. Ongoing advances in laparoscopic techniques and operator skills have allowed the development of a reliable technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, which includes the ability to achieve effective intracorporeal renal hypothermia. Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation therapies have been performed through a laparoscopic or percutaneous approach, using a combination of fine probes and high-resolution imaging studies to precisely target the lesions and accurately monitor the freezing or heating ablation process. Noninvasive tumor ablation can now be achieved by extracorporeally induced high-intensity focused ultrasound.

SUMMARY

These minimally invasive techniques represent the modern surgical approach for renal cell carcinoma, aiming to decrease patient morbidity. Laparoscopic radical and partial nephrectomy techniques duplicate the open approach. Results obtained with energy ablative techniques are encouraging. Based on the known slow growth rates of small renal cell carcinoma, one should be cautious when interpreting the short-term results of energy ablative therapies monitored by imaging only.

Portsite recurrence after laparoscopy for staging of retroperitoneal sarcoma

A 40-year-old woman underwent diagnostic and staging laparoscopy for a 12 cm retroperitoneal tumor, during which large-core biopsy was performed, which revealed an intermediate-grade leiomyosarcoma. Subsequent open resection (with en bloc resection of pancreatic tail and left kidney) was performed in a specialist unit. Complete tumor clearance was obtained with negative microscopic margins. Nine months later a laparoscopic portsite recurrence was detected clinically and confirmed histologically at resection. Laparoscopy is an unnecessary and inappropriate investigation in retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma.

Oncological safety of laparoscopic surgery for urological malignancy: experience with more than 1,000 operations

PURPOSE

Although laparoscopy is being increasingly used to treat urological malignancies, there is still concern regarding the induction of local recurrence and port site metastasis. To our knowledge no major clinical study with long-term followup has been presented in the field of urological laparoscopy. We assessed the oncological safety of laparoscopy with emphasis on incidence of local recurrence and port site metastasis, analyzing the risk factors for such events based on a 10-year experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 1992 to May 2002 we performed 1,098 laparoscopic procedures for urological malignancies, including 450 radical prostatectomies, 478 pelvic and 80 retroperitoneal lymph node dissections, 45 radical nephrectomies, 22 radical nephroureterectomies, 12 partial nephrectomies and 11 adrenalectomies. In 418 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy pelvic lymphadenectomy was done simultaneously. Of the procedures 917 were performed transperitoneally, including 181 via retroperitoneal or extraperitoneal access. A total of 567 procedures were performed in case of histologically proven cancer, whereas 531 represented only staging operations.

RESULTS

Median followup was 58 months (range 4 to 127). Eight local recurrences were observed (0.73% overall, 1.41% of histologically proven cases). There were recurrences after nephroureterectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter in 1 patient, after radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in 1, growing teratoma after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in 2, local recurrence of prostate cancer in 3 and after removal of an adrenal metastasis of melanoma in 1. Two port site metastases (0.18% overall, 0.35% of histologically proved cases) occurred, including metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma after adrenalectomy and a residual mass following 2 cycles of chemotherapy after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our experience the incidence of local recurrence and the risk of port site metastases is low and seems to be mainly related to the aggressiveness of the tumor and immunosuppression status of the patient, respectively rather than to technical aspects of the laparoscopic approach.

Electrical prostate morcellator: an alternative to manual morcellation for laparoscopic nephrectomy specimens? An in vitro study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the safety and efficacy of morcellation with the electrical prostate morcellator (EPM) or manual morcellation of the kidney, using an internal view within the morcellation sac.

METHODS

Thirty porcine kidneys, mean renal mass 174.5 g, were divided into three groups of 10. All morcellations were performed inside the LapSac. Groups 1 and 2 underwent morcellation using the EPM, monitored inside the LapSac using the nephroscope and outside the LapSac with the laparoscope, respectively. Group 3 underwent manual morcellation with ring forceps. The groups were assessed for morcellation time, fragment size, and LapSac integrity.

RESULTS

In group 1, one pinhole perforation occurred; in group 2, nine perforations occurred (five large and four pinhole). No perforations occurred (P <0.001) in group 3 (manual morcellation). The mean morcellation time for groups 1 through 3 was, respectively, 86.9, 47.1, and 15.1 minutes (P <0.0001). The corresponding mean fragment size was 0.011, 0.015, and 1.36 g. The difference in mean fragment size was significantly different between the manual morcellation group and the EPM groups (P <0.001), but not between the two EPM groups (P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Manual morcellation was safe, fast, and superior to morcellation with the EPM monitored either inside or outside the LapSac. The high rate of LapSac perforation precludes the use of EPM after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in the clinical forum.

Hand-assisted laparoscopy for large renal specimens: a multi-institutional study

OBJECTIVES

To present our experience with hand-assisted laparoscopy (HAL) for larger renal specimens. One of the theoretical benefits of HAL is the ability to manage large renal specimens, which we defined as tumors greater than 7 cm, and tumors in obese patients.

METHODS

Between March 1998 and October 2000, 106 HAL radical nephrectomies were performed for enhancing renal masses, for which 95 patients had complete preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data. Of the 95 patients, 32 underwent HAL for large tumors (7 cm or greater) and 41 had a body mass index of 31 or greater. The demographic and outcome data of these two groups were compared with 63 patients who underwent HAL for tumors less than 7 cm and 54 patients with a body mass index of less than 31.

RESULTS

When comparing cohorts by tumor size, the only statistically significant differences were in convalescence and specimen weight. Patients with lesions 7 cm or greater required 21 days to recover compared with 18 days for patients with lesions less than 7 cm. Obese patients had statistically significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications, longer operative times (214 versus 176 minutes), and longer convalescences (21 versus 17.5 days) compared with nonobese patients. The estimated blood loss and conversion rate was not different between the groups. Furthermore, no difference was noted between the groups in the incidence of positive margins, local recurrence, or metastatic recurrence at a mean follow-up of 12.2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

HAL provides a safe, reproducible, and minimally invasive technique to remove large renal tumors and renal tumors in the obese.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: retroperitoneal versus transperitoneal approach

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be efficaciously performed by either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The primary indication for selecting one approach over another has historically depended on the individual surgeon's experience and training. With either technique, laparoscopy adheres to established surgical oncologic principles of wide specimen mobilization and early vascular control. This article reviews the history, contraindications, anatomic considerations, patient preparation, and surgical technique of these two laparoscopic approaches. A salient summary of the worldwide experience with these procedures is presented, as well as a brief synopsis of controversial arguments favoring specimen morcellation versus intact extraction.