Partial nephrectomy in frail patients: Benefits of robot-assisted surgery

Open versus robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy in patients with intermediate/high-complexity kidney tumours: final results of the randomised, controlled, open-label, multicentre trial OpeRa

BACKGROUND

The prospective, randomised, open-label, multicentre OpeRa trial (NCT03849820) aimed to determine whether robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is superior to open partial nephrectomy (OPN) in reducing 30-day post-operative complications during the treatment of intermediate/high-complexity renal tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients aged ≥18 years had a renal tumour suitable for OPN or RAPN, a RENAL score ≥7, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥50 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients were randomised from 15 March 2019 to 23 November 2021 in 12 German hospitals and assigned (1 : 1) to undergo RAPN or OPN. Primary endpoint was the 30-day post-operative complication rate [Clavien-Dindo (CD) I-V] in the modified intention-to-treat population. We aimed to recruit 606 patients to detect ≥10% reduction in the primary endpoint for RAPN versus OPN.

RESULTS

A total of 240 patients were randomised to RAPN (n = 123) or OPN (n = 117). Enrolment was stopped prematurely due to slow recruitment. After patient withdrawal post-randomisation, 117 patients underwent RAPN and 90 OPN. The primary endpoint was assessable in 112 and 89 patients, respectively. The 30-day complication rate did not differ between groups: RAPN 41/112 (37%) versus OPN 41/89 (46%) (one-sided: P = 0.088). The difference of -9.5% (95% confidence interval -23.1% to 4.2%) numerically favoured RAPN. The most frequent high-grade complications (CD III-IV) to post-operative day 30 (POD30) were urine leakage [RAPN 4/112 (4%) versus OPN 2/89 (2%)] and post-operative bleeding [2/117 (2%) versus 1/89 (1%)]. Compared with OPN, RAPN patients had longer operative and warm ischaemia times, shorter hospital stay, and reported better recovery, less opioid use, less pain, and improved quality of life (QoL) up to POD30.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference in the 30-day complication rate between RAPN and OPN in this underpowered trial. Few high-grade complications occurred over the whole cohort with intermediate/high-complexity tumours. Despite less intense pain management, patients undergoing RAPN reported less pain and better QoL up to POD30.

Frailty and Renal Cell Carcinoma: Integration of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment into Shared Decision-making

CONTEXT

Frailty, a geriatric syndrome characterized by decreased resilience and physiological reserve, impacts the prognosis and management of older adults significantly, particularly in the context of surgical and oncological care.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of frailty assessment in the management of older patients with a renal mass/renal cell carcinoma (RCC), focusing on its implications for diagnostic workup, treatment decisions, and clinical outcomes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A narrative review of the literature was conducted, focusing on frailty definitions, assessment tools, and their application in geriatric oncology, applied to the field of RCC. Relevant studies addressing the prognostic value of frailty, its impact on treatment outcomes, and potential interventions were summarized.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Frailty is a poor prognostic factor and can influence decision-making in the management of both localized and metastatic RCC. Screening tools such as the Geriatric Screening Tool 8 (G8) and the Mini-COG test can aid clinicians to select older patients (ie, aged ≥65 yr) for a further comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) performed by dedicated geriatricians. The CGA provides insights to risk stratify patients and guide subsequent treatment pathways. As such, the involvement of geriatricians in multidisciplinary tumor boards emerges as an essential priority to address the complex needs of frail patients and optimize clinical outcomes. Herein, we propose a dedicated care pathway as a first key step to implement frailty assessment in clinical practice and research for RCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty has emerged as a crucial factor influencing the management and outcomes of older patients with RCC. Involvement of geriatricians in diagnostic and therapeutic pathways represents a pragmatic approach to screen and assess frailty, fostering individualized treatment decisions according to holistic patient risk stratification.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Frailty, a decline in resilience and physiological reserve, influences treatment decisions and outcomes in elderly patients with renal cell carcinoma, guiding personalized care. In this review, we focused on pragmatic strategies to screen patients with a renal mass suspected for renal cell carcinoma, who are older than 65 yr, for frailty and on personalized management algorithms integrating geriatric input beyond patient- and tumor-related factors.

Comparative efficacy of cryoablation versus robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in the treatment of cT1 renal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study utilizes a meta-analytic approach to investigate the effects of cryoablation and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy on perioperative outcomes, postoperative renal function, and oncological results in patients.

METHODS

This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database) were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published in English up to November 2023. The primary outcomes were perioperative results, complications, postoperative renal function and oncologic outcomes. Review Manager 5.4 was used for this analysis.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 10 studies comprising 2,011 patients. Compared to RAPN (Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy), the CA (Cryoablation) group had a shorter hospital stay [MD -1.76 days; 95% CI -3.12 to -0.41; p = 0.01], less blood loss [MD -104.60 ml; 95% CI -152.58 to -56.62; p < 0.0001], and fewer overall complications [OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86; p = 0.004], but a higher recurrence rate [OR 7.83; 95% CI 4.32 to 14.19; p < 0.00001]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, minor complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 1-2), major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3-5), changes in renal function at 12 months post-operation, RFS (Recurrence-Free Survival), and OS (Overall Survival).

CONCLUSION

The evidence provided by this meta-analysis indicates that the therapeutic effects of Cryoablation (CA) are similar to those of Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) in terms of perioperative outcomes and renal function. However, the recurrence rate of tumors treated with CA is significantly higher.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

The study has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42023465846).

'A pain in the buttock': A case report of gluteal compartment syndrome after robotic partial nephrectomy

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that, if unrecognised, leads to tissue and muscle ischaemia, necrosis, multi-organ failure and even death. Gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare type of compartment syndrome that typically occurs as a sequela of trauma, and its presentation may be difficult to recognise. We describe a case of a patient who developed gluteal compartment syndrome following a prolonged renal surgery in lateral decubitus position. Our case report aims to raise clinicians' awareness to consideration of this rare syndrome in patients presenting with lower extremity or back pain after prolonged surgery.

Comparison of peri- and intraoperative outcomes of open vs robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: a propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the gold standard surgical treatment for resectable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors. However, the decision whether a robotic (RAPN) or open PN (OPN) approach is chosen is often based on the surgeon's individual experience and preference. To overcome the inherent selection bias when comparing peri- and postoperative outcomes of RAPN vs. OPN, a strict statistical methodology is needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We relied on an institutional tertiary-care database to identify RCC patients treated with RAPN and OPN between January 2003 and January 2021. Study endpoints were estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, and trifecta. In the first step of analyses, descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models (MVA) were applied. In the second step of analyses, to validate initial findings, MVA were applied after 2:1 propensity-score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Of 615 RCC patients, 481 (78%) underwent OPN vs 134 (22%) RAPN. RAPN patients were younger and presented with a smaller tumor diameter and lower RENAL-Score sum, respectively. Median EBL was comparable, whereas LOS was shorter in RAPN vs. OPN. Both intraoperative (27 vs 6%) and Clavien-Dindo > 2 complications (11 vs 3%) were higher in OPN (both < 0.05), whereas achievement of trifecta was higher in RAPN (65 vs 54%; p = 0.028). In MVA, RAPN was a significant predictor for shorter LOS, lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as higher trifecta rates. After 2:1 PSM with subsequent MVA, RAPN remained a statistical and clinical predictor for lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications and higher rates of trifecta achievement but not LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in baseline and outcome characteristics exist between RAPN vs. OPN, probably due to selection bias. However, after applying two sets of statistical analyses, RAPN seems to be associated with more favorable outcomes regarding complications and trifecta rates.

Last Resort from Nursing Shortage? Comparative Cost Analysis of Open vs. Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomies with a Focus on the Costs of Nursing Care

Despite perioperative advantages, robot-assisted surgery is associated with high costs. However, the lower morbidity of robotic surgery could lead to a lower nursing workload and cost savings. In this comparative cost analysis of open retroperitoneal versus robot-assisted transperitoneal partial nephrectomies (PN), these possible cost savings, including other cost factors, were quantified. Therefore, patient, tumor characteristics, and surgical results of all PN within two years at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively analyzed. The nursing effort was quantified by the local nursing staff regulation and INPULS^® intensive care and performance-recording system. Out of 259 procedures, 76.4% were performed robotically. After propensity score matching, the median total nursing time (2407.8 vs. 1126.8 min, p < 0.001) and daily nursing effort (245.7 vs. 222.6 min, p = 0.025) were significantly lower after robotic surgery. This resulted in mean savings of EUR 186.48 in nursing costs per robotic case, in addition to savings of EUR 61.76 due to less frequent administrations of erythrocyte concentrates. These savings did not amortize the higher material costs for the robotic system, causing additional expenses of EUR 1311.98 per case. To conclude, the nursing effort after a robotic partial nephrectomy was significantly lower compared to open surgery; however, this previously unnoticed savings mechanism alone could not amortize the overall increased costs.

A comprehensive assessment of frailty status on surgical, functional and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with partial nephrectomy-A large, retrospective, single-center study

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is a challenging procedure, which can be associated with severe complications. In consequence, the search for accurate and independent indicators of unfavorable surgical outcomes appears warranted. We aimed at evaluating the impact of frailty status on surgical, functional and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing PN for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

A retrospective, single-center study including 1,282 patients treated with PN for clinically localized cT1 RCC was performed. The modified Frailty Index (mFI) was used to assess preoperative frailty. Multivariable logistic, Poisson and linear regression analyses(MVA) tested the effect of frailty on complications, acute kidney injury(AKI), renal function decline after PN. Cumulative incidence and competing-risk analyses investigated survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 1,282 patients, 220 (17%) were frail. Overall, 982 (76%) vs. 123 (9.6%) vs. 171 (13%) patients underwent open vs. laparoscopic vs. robot-assisted PN. Median follow-up was 66 (IQR: 35-107) months. At MVA, frailty status predicted increased risk of complications [Odds ratio (OR): 1.46, 95%CI 1.17-1.84; P < 0.001]. Moreover, frail patients were at higher risk of postoperative AKI (OR: 1.95, 95%CI 1.13-3.35; P = 0.01). In frail patients, renal function permanently decreased over time (P = 0.01) without any renal function plateau or improvement during the follow-up, which were instead observed in the nonfrail cohort. At competing-risks analyses, frailty status predicted higher risk of other-cause mortality [Hazard ratio (HR): 1.67, 95%CI 1.05-2.66; P = 0.02], but not of cancer-specific mortality (P = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty status predicts higher risk of adverse surgical outcomes after PN. Moreover, greater renal function decline was observed in frail patients, compared with nonfrail patients. Finally, the risk of OCM significantly overcomes the risk of dying due to RCC in frail patients.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy and Cryoablation in Elderly Patients with Renal Cancer

Advances in imaging technologies have increased the opportunities for treating small-diameter renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) in the elderly. This retrospective study based on real-world clinical practice compared perioperative complications, preoperative and postoperative renal function, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival in elderly patients with RCC who had undergone robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) or percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). A total of 99 patients (aged ≥70 years), including 50 and 49 patients in the RAPN and PCA groups, respectively, were analyzed. In the entire cohort, Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications occurred in only one patient who had undergone RAPN. Renal function was significantly lower in the postoperative period than in the preoperative period in both the RAPN and PCA groups. The recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates were worse in the PCA group than in the RAPN group, albeit not significantly. RAPN was considered a safe and effective method for treating RCCs in elderly patients. Moreover, although the recurrence rate was slightly higher in the PCA group than in the RAPN group, PCA was deemed to be a safe alternative, especially for treating patients in whom general anesthesia poses a high risk.

Comparison of 1-Year Health Care Expenditures and Utilization Following Minimally Invasive vs Open Nephrectomy

IMPORTANCE

Given the widespread adoption and clinical benefits of minimally invasive surgery approaches (MIS) in partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN), assessment of long-term cost implications is relevant.

OBJECTIVE

To compare health care utilization and expenditures within 1 year after MIS and open surgery (OS).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study was conducted using a US commercial claims database between 2013 and 2018. A total of 5104 patients aged 18 to 64 years who underwent PN or RN for kidney cancer and were continuously insured for 180 days before and 365 days after surgery were identified. An inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis was performed to examine differences in costs and use of health care services.

EXPOSURES

Surgical approach (MIS or OS).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Outcomes assessed included 1-year total health care expenditure, health care utilizations, and estimated days missed from work.

RESULTS

Of the 5104 patients, 2639 had PN (2008 MIS vs 631 OS) and 2465 had RN (1816 MIS vs 649 OS) and most were male (PN: 1657 [62.8%]; RN: 399 [63.1%]) and between 55 and 64 years of age (PN: 1034 [51.3%]; RN: 320 [55.7%]). Patients who underwent MIS had lower index hospital length of stay compared with OS (mean [95% CI] for PN: 2.45 [2.37-2.53] vs 3.78 [3.60-3.97] days; P < .001; for RN: 2.82 [2.73-2.91] vs 4.62 [4.41-4.83] days; P < .001), and lower index expenditure for RN ($28 999 [$28 243-$29 796] vs $31 977 [$30 729-$33 329]; P < .001). For PN, index expenditure was lower for OS than MIS (mean [95% CI], $27 480 [$26 263-$28 753] vs $30 380 [$29614-$31 167]; P < .001). Patients with MIS had lower 1-year postdischarge readmission rate (PN: 15.1% vs 21.5%; odds ratio [OR], 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52-0.82; P < .001; RN: 15.6% vs 18.9%; OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63-1.00; P = .05), and fewer hospital outpatient visits (mean [95% CI] for PN: 4.69 [4.48-4.90] vs 5.25 [4.84-5.66]; P = .01; RN: 5.50 [5.21-5.80] vs 6.71 [6.12-7.30]; P < .001) than those with OS. For RN, MIS was associated with 1.47 fewer missed workdays (95% CI, 0.57-2.38 days; P = .001). The reduction in health care use in MIS was associated with lower or similar total cumulative expenditures compared with OS (mean difference [95% CI] for PN: $331 [-$3250 to $3912]; P = .85; for RN: -$11 265 [-$17 065 to -$5465]; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, MIS was associated with lower or similar total cumulative expenditure than OS in the period 1 year after discharge from the index surgery. These findings suggest that downstream expenditures and resource utilization should be considered when evaluating surgical approach for nephrectomy.

Overview of clinical management for older patients with renal cell carcinoma

The rapidly increasing pool of older patients being diagnosed with and surviving their cancer is creating many challenges. Regarding localized renal cell carcinoma, surgery is considered as gold standard treatment options even in older men, whereas active surveillance and ablation therapy are alternative options for a proportion of these patients. With regard to advanced disease, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKI) and immune check point inhibitor are standard treatment modalities, although treatment choice from multiple regimens and prevention of adverse events need to be considered. Better assessment techniques, such as comprehensive geriatric assessment to meet the unique needs of older patients, are a central focus in the delivery of high-quality geriatric oncology care. Through this process, shared decision-making should be adopted in clinical care to achieve optimal goals of care that reflect patient and caregiver hopes, needs and preferences. It is necessary to continue investigating oncological outcomes and complications associated with treatment in this population to ensure appropriate cancer care. In this narrative review, we completed a literature review of the various treatments for renal cell carcinoma in older patients that aimed to identify the current evidence related to the full range of the treatments including active surveillance, surgery, ablation therapy and systemic therapy. Prospectively designed studies and studies regarding geriatric assessment were preferentially added as references. Our goals were to summarize the real-world evidence and provide a decision framework that guides better cancer practices for older patients with renal cell carcinoma.

The effect of frailty on post-operative outcomes and health care expenditures in patients treated with partial nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of frailty on short-term post-operative outcomes and total hospital charges (THCs) in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma, treated with partial nephrectomy (PN).

METHODS

Within the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database we identified 25,545 patients treated with PN from 2000 to 2015. We used the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) frailty-defining indicator and we examined the rates of frailty over time, as well as its effect on overall complications, major complications, blood transfusions, non-home-based discharge, length of stay (LOS) and THCs. Time trends and multivariable logistic, Poisson and linear regression models were applied.

RESULTS

Overall, 3574 (14.0%) patients were frail, 2677 (10.5%) were older than 75 years and 2888 (11.3%) had Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥ 2. However, the vast majority of frail patients were neither elderly nor comorbid (83%). Rates of frail patients treated with PN increased over time, from 8.3 in 2000 to 18.1% in 2015 (all p < 0.001). Frail patients showed higher rates of overall complications (43.5 vs. 30.3%), major complications (16.6 vs. 9.8%), blood transfusions (11.6 vs 8.3%) and non-home-based discharge (9.9 vs. 5.4%). longer LOS [4 (IQR: 3-6) vs. 4 (IQR: 2-5) days] and higher THCs ($43,906 vs. $38,447 - all p < 0.001). Moreover, frailty status independently predicted overall complications (OR: 1.73), major complications (OR: 1.63), longer LOS (RR: 1.07) and higher THCs (RR: +$7506). Finally, a dose-response on the risk of suboptimal surgical outcomes was shown in patients with multiple risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

One out of seven patients is frail at time of surgery and this rate is on the rise. Moreover, frailty is associated with adverse outcomes after PN. In consequence, preoperative assessment of frailty status should be implemented, to identify patients who may benefit from pre- or postoperative measures aimed at improving surgical outcomes in this patient population.