The single instrument port laparoscopic (SIMPL) nephrectomy

Pediatric Nephrectomy: Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes of Three Different Minimally Invasive and Open Approaches

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is now the gold standard for nephrectomy in pediatric patients. Retroperitoneoscopic (using either one or two instruments) and transperitoneal (TP) approaches are described. We compared the perioperative outcomes of different techniques [single-instrument retroperitoneoscopic (SIRP), two-instrument retroperitoneoscopic (TIRP), TP, and open approach]. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of patients who underwent nephrectomy surgery in the period from January 2009 to January 2020 at a single center was carried out. We excluded patients who underwent other procedures under the same anesthetic, underwent heminephrectomy, and those with incomplete records. The primary outcome measures were operative time, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to analyze continuous variables. Chi square test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: A total of 213 nephrectomies were analyzed; SIRP (n = 35), TIRP (n = 50), TP (n = 74), and open (n = 54). Median age (months) was 71 for SIRP, 113 for TIRP, 67 for TP, and 21 for open. No statistical difference was identified for mean operative time (P = .067) or mean hospital stay (P = .69). Intraoperative complications were significantly more in the open group (P = .03). Postoperative complications were rare and only noted in the open group. There was no conversion to open surgery in the SIRP and TIRP groups. Conversion rate was 5.4% (4/74) in the TP group. Conclusion: MIS nephrectomy is safe, and no difference among techniques (SIRP, TIRP and TP) has been demonstrated. They are comparable to open surgery in terms of operative time and hospital stay, but are associated with significantly less complications.

Perioperative morbidity of paediatric laparoscopic nephrectomy by transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches- any difference?

AIM

Minimal invasive approaches for paediatric nephrectomy include transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (RP); both having advantages and disadvantages. We aimed to ascertain if there was any difference in perioperative morbidities between these two approaches.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of laparoscopic TP and RP nephrectomies performed in our institution over 10 years from May 2009 till May 2019. Outcome measures included intraoperative complications, prolonged requirement of opioid analgesics (more than 24 h), hospital stay, incidence of wound infection and urinary tract infections. Data were analysed using Fisher's exact test and Mann Whitney test.

RESULTS

A total of 152 nephrectomies were performed in 139 patients; 81 were TP and 71 were RP. Age ranged from 8 months to 16 years. Median hospital stay was 2 days in both groups. There were no intraoperative complications. Outcome measures were sub-categorised as follows. Requirement of opioid analgesia for more than 24 h was documented in 2 patients in each group, leading to longer hospital stay of 3 days. A febrile urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics was detected in 4; 1 in TP and 3 in RP. Wound infection requiring antibiotics occurred in 1 patient (in RP group). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in any of the subcategories.

CONCLUSION

TP and RP nephrectomy have similar perioperative morbidity. The decision to utilise either approach should be dependent on the surgeon's skills and experience and appropriately tailored to individual patient needs.

Prone posterior retroperitoneoscopic access to the kidney in children: the controlled optical trocar approach

INTRODUCTION

Conventional access for renal surgery through the retro-peritoneum includes the blind percutaneous approach using a haemostatic clip and the Gaur balloon dissection technique or alternatively the open cut-down approach. The authors present a video detailing the technique of optical access into the retro-peritoneum.

OBJECTIVE

Demonstration of the optical access technique into the retroperitoneal space using the optical trocar.

METHOD

Video describing the technique is carried out. With the patient in the prone position the optical trocar is introduced posteriorly traversing the different layers under vision to safely enter the space just outside gerota's fascia. Blunt dissection with the telescope tip and positive pressure aids creation of the working space.

RESULTS

A total of 35 renal surgeries including nephrectomy and nephro-ureterectomy were performed via optical access to the retro-peritoneum. Ages ranged from 6 months to 14 years, and kidney sizes ranged from 1.6 cm to 15 cm, with operating times being 66-137 min. No complications or conversions were encountered.

DISCUSSION

Optical access as described previously is achieved with a small incision, with complete control at every stage of the access with no room for error or subjective feeling. At all points, the operator recognises the different layers and is able to predictably reach the right space very quickly and safely. In contrast, the percutaneous technique was blind and the open cut-down required a bigger incision and was practically quite challenging in obese patients with leakage around the port and surgical emphysema. Optical access overcame all these drawbacks and made it reliable, predictable and reproducible.

CONCLUSION

Access to the retroperitoneum in the prone posterior approach is achieved safely under vision and is reproducible. Every step in this access is performed in a controlled way and is therefore more predictable as compared to conventional techniques.

Umbilical only access laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: Preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Over the past three decades, laparoscopic surgery has become a well-established alternative to open surgery in the management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Currently, several efforts are being made, aimed at further reducing the morbidity associated with conventional laparoscopy. We report our experience with modified umbilical port laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children presenting with hydronephrosis secondary to UPJ obstruction formed the study group. A 5 mm endoscopic port was placed on the inferior umbilical crease. The two 3 mm instruments were introduced through puncture sites created a few mm superior and lateral to the endoscopic port, under vision. Total operating time, the time taken for insertion of double pigtail catheter, time taken for pyeloplasty anastomosis and complications were noted.

RESULTS

During the study period, 16 children underwent modified umbilical only access laparoscopic pyeloplasty. The total operating time and the time for insertion of double pigtail catheter were significantly more in our earlier half of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified umbilical port laparoscopic pyeloplasty reduces the morbidity associated with conventional multiport laparoscopy without the need of expensive multichannel cannulas, curved laparoscopic instruments and longer laparoscopic endoscopes. Though crossing instruments are a factor which prolongs the duration of surgery, it does not hinder complex suturing needed during pyeloplasty.

Single incision retro-peritoneoscopic paediatric nephrectomy: early experience

Single incision, single port, or single site surgery for retro-peritoneoscopic nephrectomy and nephro-ureterectomy in paediatric practice using an advanced access platform (GelPOINT Mini) is described in two patients. One patient had bilateral synchronous nephrectomy. The technique, advantages, and challenges are reported. Beyond the initial hurdles and learning curve, this technique is promising and has the potential to be extended to other procedures in paediatric urology.

A novel approach for the resection of low rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Our novel approach is a hybrid between cylindrical abdominoperineal resection and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). We report the clinical application of this technique and present preliminary data that shows this approach to be an effective tool for resection of low rectal cancer.

METHODS

Twenty patients with endoscopy-considered and biopsy-proven malignant lesions were required to undergo abdominal computed tomography examination for determining tumor stage. In addition, all patients had taken in digital rectal examination again on the surgery day. Perioperative management of patients was executed according to management of patients in fast-track surgery. First, cylindrical abdominoperineal resection was performed with the patients in the prone jackknife position to peritoneal reflection, then we turned the patients to the supine position and SILS was performed with the homemade single-port device.

RESULTS

The average distance from the anal verge was 2.60±1.14 cm and the mean tumor diameter confirmed by pathology measured to be 3.00±1.08 cm, and the circumferential margin was negative in all the specimens. The mean fabrication and set-up time of the homemade SILS device was 7.75±1.21 minutes and the average operating time was 138.55±9.32 minutes with minimal blood loss (20.5±5.83 mL). There were no conversions from SILS to conventional laparoscopy. On average, oral intake can often be successfully initiated 7.35±1.35 h after surgery, with the first passage of flatus from the colostomy occurring 2.55±0.76 d postoperation. Function hospital stay was 4.25±0.97 d with no undue sequelae. During the 6-month-long follow-up stage, no morbidity or mortality was observed except in 2 patients with poor union in perineum incision.

CONCLUSIONS

Cylindrical abdominoperineal decection combined with SILS is a feasible alternative for low rectal cancer, providing benefits like leaving enough exposure for operation, reducing trauma to surrounding organs, almost completely avoiding circumferential involvement, and allowing fast postoperative recovery.

Controversies in single-port laparoscopic surgery

Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is a rapidly involving minimally invasive surgical technique. SPLS has been applied to a variety of surgical procedures, including appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, and bariatric surgery. The true advantage of SPLS over conventional laparoscopic surgery has been always a topic of debate. Here, we discuss few controversies related to SPLS, starting from nomenclature, access techniques, true technical challenges, port-site hernia, and ideal patient for SPLS.

Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy with conventional instruments and ports: the way forward?

BACKGROUND

The quest for scarless surgery continues, but the goal remains elusive. The logical top contender was natural orifice surgery, but unfortunately even today it remains in infancy. Minilaparoscopy also did not generate much interest. In this scenario, transumbilical single-incision laparoscopy surgery holds promise, especially as far as cosmetics is concerned, and may be the ultimate answer.

METHODS

All the 240 patients were operated by the same surgeon through a transversely placed umbilical incision in the upper half of the umbilicus. Three conventional ports, 10, 5, and 5 mm, were introduced through the same skin incision but separate transfacial punctures. The instruments included 10- and 5-mm 30° rigid telescopes and rigid instruments as in standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Patients with acute cholecystitis and calculous pancreatitis were included, but those with choledocholithiasis were excluded. Results were compared with those with SLC.

RESULTS

Patients were predominately female, with an average age of 37.6 years. Ten patients had difficult gallbladders, 24 had acute cholecystitis, and 10 had calculous pancreatitis. The mean operating time was 25.8 minutes, compared with 18.4 minutes in SLC. Intracorporeal knotting was required in 2 patients. Conversion to SLC was required in 5 patients. Morrisons pouch drain was left in 1 patient. Injectable analgesic was required in 138 (57.5%) patients and infection was seen in 2 (0.8%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Transumbilical single-skin-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed solely with conventional instruments is feasible, easy to learn, and probably the future of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A clinical review of single-incision laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most significant surgical advances of the twentieth century. Recently, the focus has been on the development of minimally invasive techniques in the form of single-incision laparoscopic surgery. The single-incision technique provides a less invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery, requiring only one incision disguised within the umbilical folds in contrast to the three to five incisions in conventional laparoscopic surgery. The availability of a number of specialised ports has aided the development of single-incision laparoscopic surgery, and led to its widespread use. The successful use of single-incision laparoscopic surgery has been reported for a number of surgical procedures, and offers several potential benefits versus conventional laparoscopic surgery, including reduced pain, reduced time to recovery and improved cosmesis. This review of international literature assesses the current status, as well as the experience, of single-incision laparoscopic surgery within general, colorectal, bariatric, metabolic, gynaecological and urological surgery. The challenges faced with single-incision laparoscopic surgery are discussed, as well as the clinical studies that are required in order to establish single-incision surgery as a significant improvement to conventional laparoscopic surgery in terms of reduced pain and improved cosmesis.

The role of single-incision laparoscopic surgery in abdominal and pelvic surgery: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to determine the role of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in abdominal and pelvic operations.

DATA SOURCES

The Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched until October 2009 using "single-incision laparoscopic surgery" and related terms as keywords. References from retrieved articles were reviewed to broaden the search

STUDY SELECTION

The study included case reports, case series, and empirical studies that reported SILS in abdominal and pelvic operations.

DATA EXTRACTION

Number of patients, type of instruments, operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, length of hospital stay, length of follow-up evaluation, and complications were extracted from the reviewed items

DATA SYNTHESIS

The review included 102 studies classified as level 4 evidence. Most of these studies investigated SILS in cholecystectomy (n=34), appendectomy (n=24), and nephrectomy (n=17). For these procedures, operative time, hospital stay, and complications were comparable with those of conventional laparoscopy. Conversion to conventional laparoscopy was seldom performed in cholecystectomy (range, 0-24%) and more frequent in appendectomy (range, 0-41%) and nephrectomy (range, 0-33%).

CONCLUSION

The potential benefits of SILS include superior cosmesis and possibly shorter operative time, lower costs, and a shortened time to full physical recovery. Careful case selection and a low threshold of conversion to conventional laparoscopic surgery are essential. Multicenter, randomized, prospective studies are needed to compare short- and long-term outcome measures against those of conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: initial experience

BACKGROUND

As surgeons embrace the concept of increasingly less invasive surgery, techniques using only a single small incision have begun to gain traction. Several commercially available products have emerged recently. The TriPort system and the SILS Port are single-port devices that allow the surgeon to perform laparoscopic surgery through a 2- to 3-cm periumbilical incision. This study aimed to ascertain whether these devices allow safe and reliable access for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

From March 2008 to June 2009, single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted for 22 patients with an average age of 40 years (range, 23-73 years). The data collected prospectively after institutional review board approval included demographics, operative time, complications, and reasons for conversion to standard four-port laparoscopic surgery.

RESULTS

The operation was completed successfully for 21 of the 22 patients (15 women and 7 men) using five different techniques. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 32.7 kg/cm(2) (range, 22.3-46.1 kg/cm(2)). Three of the patients had previously undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The mean operative time was 80.8 min (range, 51-156 min). One patient experienced a Richter's hernia postoperatively, which required a reoperation and subsequent bowel resection. One patient required conversion to a standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy because the articulating instrument could not reach the gallbladder from the umbilicus.

CONCLUSION

The results from the current series show single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy to be a promising technique. A variety of patient demographics appear suited to this approach. The operative time in this series compares favorably with that for the standard four-port operation. The feasibility of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now established. However, routine application of this novel technique requires an evaluation of its safety and cost effectiveness in larger studies. In addition, its superiority over standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of postoperative pain, cosmesis, and overall patient satisfaction requires further study. Refinements in instrumentation will enable wider use of this novel minimally invasive approach.

Single-incision multiport laparoscopic orchidopexy: initial report

PURPOSE

We report the first use of single-incision multiport access to perform 1-stage laparoscopic orchidopexy in children without section of the spermatic vessels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three boys with cryptorchidism were submitted to primary laparoscopic 1-stage orchidopexy by using 3 ports (a 10-mm [or 5-mm] port placed using open technique and 2 additional 5-mm [or 3-mm] ports) inserted through the same periumbilical skin incision with different entrances through the abdominal wall. After dissection of the testicular vessels and vas deferens, a 5-mm port was placed in a tunnel from the scrotum to pull the remnant of the gubernaculum down and fix the testicle in a dartos pouch.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 83.3 minutes. The estimated blood loss was almost nil, and there were no intraoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

This approach was feasible and safe. However, as with any new technique, its use requires a larger number of cases and a longer follow-up to fully evaluate its benefits and limitations.

An initial experience of 100 paediatric laparoscopic nephrectomies with transperitoneal or posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic approach

The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the initial 100 consecutive laparoscopic nephrectomies using a transperitoneal or a posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic approach. The medical records of 97 consecutive children who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy between January 2000 and December 2003 were reviewed. Children having concomitant operative procedures were excluded from the study. Laparoscopy was performed by a transperitoneal (TP) or a posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic (PPR) approach based on the preference of the operating surgeon. A total of 100 procedures were successfully completed laparoscopically. Two children required conversion to open surgery. The median operating time was 112 min for the TP approach and 96 min for the PPR approach (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the analgesic requirements between the two groups. The rate of complications was similar, as was the length of hospital stay. This was despite the fact that the children in the TP group were somewhat older in age. In children having bilateral native kidney nephrectomy, peritoneal dialysis was successfully established within 48 h after surgery in the PPR group. Taking into account the heterogeneous nature of our group of patients, a reliable conclusion in regard to the difference in operative time, analgesic requirement or approach could not be ascertained. There is the suggestion however, that both the TP and PPR approaches for nephrectomy are equally applicable in children. The posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic approach may have an advantage in children who require peritoneal dialysis.

Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: an early institutional experience

OBJECTIVE

To review our initial experience with the retroperitoneoscopic approach, which is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice for paediatric adrenalectomy. Swift access to the vascular pedicle makes this approach ideal for adrenal surgery where haemodynamic instability is a common feature.

METHOD

Patients were placed in a fully prone position and the locations of the 12th rib, iliac crest and paravertebral muscles were marked. A 10-mm incision was made lateral to the para-vertebral muscle, halfway between the iliac crest and costal margin. A retroperitoneal working space was created around the kidney using a homemade balloon. A 10-mm Hasson port was then inserted. A 5-mm working port was placed lateral to the tip of the 12th rib and, if necessary, a second was inserted medial to the camera port. Dissection was performed with diathermy and/or Harmonic Scalpeltrade mark and the adrenal vessels were divided between clips. The specimen was retrieved in an endopouch through the 10-mm port.

RESULTS

Over 16 months, six adrenalectomies were performed in five patients (three boys and two girls); two right, two left and one bilateral. Median age at surgery was 8 years. Presentation was with hypertension (n=2), Cushing's syndrome (n=2) and abdominal pain (n=1). Median operative time was 154 min. A single-instrument port adrenalectomy was performed in three patients. Histopathological diagnosis included adrenal cyst (n=1), cystic phaeochromocytoma (n=1), adrenal cortical tumour (n=2) and central Cushing's disease (n=1). All were completely resected. All patients remain symptom free with a median follow up of 17 months.

CONCLUSION

These cases represent our initial institutional experience with retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. The senior reporting surgeons have already surmounted the general learning curve for laparoscopy, and this experience has proved vital to expand our repertoire with encouraging early results. This is our technique of choice as it provides a superior view of the adrenal gland and vessels, with good intraoperative haemodynamic stability.

Bilateral synchronous posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy with simultaneous peritoneal dialysis: a new management for end-stage renal disease in children

OBJECTIVE

To describe a laparoscopic approach for bilateral synchronous posterior prone retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (BSPPRN) which allows for immediate peritoneal dialysis (PD) in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), as PD is the treatment of choice in these children with ESRD who are awaiting renal transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Traditionally, children requiring bilateral native nephrectomy have been managed on haemodialysis before being converted to PD at a later stage, but this approach incorporates a conventional open transperitoneal nephrectomy, which had associated morbidity. Between May 2001 and December 2005, 20 children had BSPPRN with initiation or return to PD immediately afterward (mean age at surgery 8.5 years, range 0.5-17). The indications for surgery included steroid-resistant proteinuria in 14, drug-resistant hypertension in four, proteinuria and hypertension in one and intractable polyuria in one. BSPPRN used either three or two ports, or the 'single-instrument port' technique. A PD catheter was placed simultaneously in eight children, whilst 10 were already established on PD.

RESULTS

BSPPRN was successful in 19 children; one developed a peritoneal tear, which necessitated conversion to open nephrectomy. The mean (range) operative duration was 160 (110-180) min. There were no major complications and no child required a blood transfusion. PD was established immediately after surgery in 17 children; one had a dialysate leak requiring a period of haemodialysis.

CONCLUSION

In children who require bilateral native nephrectomy before renal transplantation, BSPPRN maintains the integrity of the peritoneal cavity, allowing for immediate PD after surgery. The technique is safe and has all the added advantages of minimally invasive surgery.