Laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy for renal cancer: the University of California, Irvine, technique

A novel technique for avoidance of sternotomy, diaphragmic incision and cardiopulmonary bypass during cavoatrial tumor thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma with intraatrial tumor thrombus: a case series at a single center

BACKGROUND

Radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and level IV thrombus extending to the right atrium (RA) offers improved survival. However, this procedure is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. In this report, we describe a novel milking technique for patients with RA tumor thrombus using abdominal access, which does not require diaphragmic incision, sternotomy, right atriotomy, or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODS

Between January 2019 and January 2022, four patients underwent resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into RA by a milking technique developed to avoid diaphragmic incision, sternotomy, or CPB. Patient characteristics, perioperative data, pathological features, and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Complete resection was successful through pure transabdominal access without diaphragmic incision, sternotomy, or CPB in all patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy in optimized cases with renal cell carcinoma extending into RA can be safely and effectively performed without diaphragmic incision, sternotomy, or CPB, avoiding serious perioperative complications while providing acceptable oncological outcomes.

The feasibility and safety of adopting the left lumbar vein to localize the renal artery location during left transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Background

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is the standard of care for localized small renal cancer. The most critical step in this form of surgery is to localize the renal artery. In the present study, we describe a novel technique that uses the left lumbar vein (LV) to access the left renal artery during LPN.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective review of 130 cases of transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomies (TLPNs) performed on patients with renal cancer in our center between January 2018 and December 2021. Either the LV or non-lumbar vein (N-LV) technique was used to locate and manage the left renal artery. We recorded relevant clinical data from all patients, including patient characteristics, tumor data, and perioperative outcomes (artery mobilization time, operative time, estimated blood loss, and complications). Comparative analysis was then carried out between the cases using LV or N-LV vein techniques.

Results

All TLPNs were successfully accomplished without conversion to open approaches. There were no complications involving the renal vessels during the entire study. The LV technique resulted in a significantly shorter time to mobilize the renal and significantly less estimated blood loss (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two techniques with regard to perioperative complications.

Conclusion

The left LV represents an anatomical landmark for locating the left renal artery in TLPN. This approach has numerous advantages over the transperitoneal approach including facilitating access to the left renal artery and reducing the duration of surgery.

Impact of Obesity on Complications of Laparoscopic Simple or Radical Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of obesity on complications in laparoscopic simple or radical nephrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical files of 215 patients who underwent laparoscopic simple or radical nephrectomy in our center between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed. A body mass index of 30 kg/m² was used to divide the patients into obese and non-obese groups. Pre-operative data and intra- and post-operative complications were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were respectively 163 and 52 patients in the non-obese and obese groups, which were comparable in terms of age, sex, and history of surgery. In the obese group, operative specimens were significantly heavier (772 vs. 534 g in the non-obese group; p = 0.005) and durations of surgery was significantly longer (244 vs. 216 minutes; p = 0.003). However no significant differences were found between the 2 groups for duration of hospitalization, surgical conversion, estimated blood loss, or intra- or post-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic simple or radical nephrectomy is technically feasible in obese patients but the surgery may take more time, notably due to dissection difficulties. Our results showed that the risk of intra- and post-operative complications is not higher in obese patients compared to non-obese patients, except for a possible, but statistically undemonstrated, higher risk of abdominal wall complications, and that the laparoscopic approach should be the preferred technique in patients with high body mass index.

Multidetector CT imaging of complications after laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery

Purpose

Laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (L-NSS) is increasingly performed to treat localised renal lesions. However, the associated morbidity is non-negligible, with a rate of major complications approaching 10 %.

Methods and Results

This paper provides an overview of indications, surgical techniques and results of L-NSS; explains the incidence, risk factors and manifestations of postoperative complications; discusses the preferred multidetector computed tomography (CT) acquisition techniques; illustrates the appearance of normal postoperative images following L-NSS; and reviews, with example images, the most common and unusual iatrogenic complications. These include haematuria, haemorrhage, vascular injuries, infections and urinary leaks. Most emphasis is placed on CT, which provides rapid, reliable triage and follow-up of iatrogenic complications after L-NSS, identifying occurrences that require transarterial embolisation or repeated surgery.

Conclusions

Multidetector CT allows precise assessment of the surgical resection site; detection of pneumoperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema; quantification of retroperitoneal blood; and identification of active bleeding, pseudoaneurysms, arterio-venous fistulas, abscess collections and extravasated urine.

Teaching Points

• Laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is increasingly performed to treat renal lesions.

• Radiologists are increasingly requested to investigate suspected post-surgical NSS complications.

• Post-NSS complications include haemorrhage, haematuria, vascular injuries, infections and urinary leaks.

• Multidetector CT allows choice between conservative treatment, transarterial embolisation or surgery.