Utilization of a three-dimensional printed kidney model for favorable TRIFECTA achievement in early experience of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

The use of individualized 3D-printed models on trainee and patient education, and surgical planning for robotic partial nephrectomies

3D printing is a growing tool in surgical education to visualize and teach complex procedures. Previous studies demonstrating the usefulness of 3D models as teaching tools for partial nephrectomy used highly detailed models costing between $250 and 1000. We aimed to create thorough, inexpensive 3D models to accelerate learning for trainees and increase health literacy in patients. Patient-specific, cost-effective ($30-50) 3D models of the affected urologic structures were created using pre-operative imaging of 40 patients undergoing partial nephrectomy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) between July 2020 and May 2021. Patients undergoing surgery filled out a survey before and after seeing the model to assess patient understanding of their kidney, pathophysiology, surgical procedure, and risks of surgery. Three urological residents, one fellow, and six attendings filled out separate surveys to assess their surgical plan and confidence before and after seeing the model. In a third survey, they ranked how much the model helped their comprehension and confidence during surgery. Patient understanding of all four subjects significantly improved after seeing the 3D model (P < 0.001). The urology residents (P < 0.001) and fellow (P < 0.001) reported significantly increased self-confidence after interacting with the model. Attending surgeon confidence increased significantly after seeing the 3D model (P < 0.01) as well. Cost-effective 3D models are effective learning tools and assist with the evaluation of patients presenting with renal masses, and increase patient, resident, and fellow understanding in partial nephrectomies. Further research should continue to explore the utility of inexpensive models in other urologic procedures.

Natural history of asymptomatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy

Background

We assessed the natural history of renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Methods

From May 2016 to September 2020, 106 patients underwent RAPN for renal tumors at our institution. Among 100 patients, excluding 6 who were ineligible for contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), 4 underwent renal artery selective embolization (RAE), of which 2 cases were emergency RAE within 7 days after RAPN and the other 2 were prophylactic RAE 8 or more days after RAPN. In 98 patients examined for the clinical course of asymptomatic RAP managed by surveillance, excluding the 2 who underwent emergency RAE, routine CE-CT was performed at 7 days, 1 month and 3 months after RAPN. Factors influencing the occurrence of RAP among these 98 patients, including the 2 who underwent emergency RAE and excluding the 2 who underwent prophylactic RAE, were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Median [interquartile range (IOR), range] observation period, age, radiographic tumor size, and maximum diameter of RAP were 20.8 (23.9, 3.0–57.6) months, 63 (18, 22–84) years, 23 (11, 9–48) mm, and 6.6 (5.2, 3.0–16.0) mm, respectively. CE-CT detected 28 RAPs in 23 (23.0%) of 100 patients by 7 days after RAPN and routine CE-CT detected 25 RAPs in 21 (21.4%) of 98 patients excluding 2 who underwent emergency RAE at 7 days after RAPN. RAP was diagnosed by routine CE-CT in 21 (21.4%), 1 (1.0%), and 0 (0%) patients at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months after RAPN, respectively. In univariate analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 0.144: 69–84 vs. 22–56 years old, P=0.0179], R.E.N.A.L [radius (tumor size as maximal diameter), exophytic/endophytic properties of tumor, nearness of tumor deepest portion to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior descriptor and location relative to polar line] nephrometry score (OR 1.374, P=0.0382), warm ischemic time (OR 1.085, P=0.0393), and renorrhaphy time (OR 1.055, P=0.0408) were significantly associated with the occurrence of RAP. In multivariate analysis, only age (OR 0.124, P=0.0148) was a significant factor.

Conclusions

Asymptomatic RAP up to 15 mm in diameter resolved spontaneously 3 months after RAPN. Young age (under 56 years) may be a factor in the development of RAP.

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and navigation in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal masses in the solitary kidney: A comparative study

BACKGROUND

Numerous efforts were made to improve renal function and oncologic outcomes in surgery for patients with kidney cancer. We explored new robotic methods in solitary kidneys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively registered and included 16 patients in the 3D-robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) group with a solitary kidney (anatomic or functional), and retrospectively identified 25 patients with a solitary kidney who received RAPN also operated by us for comparison.

RESULTS

The rates of global clamping reduced in the 3D-RAPN group (37.5% vs 76%)while selective rates were higher (56.2% vs 20%) (p = 0.028). The mean percentages of Scr increase (+20.2% vs +30.2%, p = 0.045) and eGFR reduction (-16.8% vs -27.1%) as well as rate of opening collecting systems (31.3% vs 72%, p = 0.010) were lower in 3D-RAPN group.

CONCLUSIONS

3D-RAPN less impaired the renal function of patients with a solitary kidney and showed superiority or non-inferiority in other evaluation indexes compared to conventional RAPN.