A Study of the anatomy of the renal pedicle during retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy

Abstract

Objective To study the anatomical characteristics of the renal pedicle and its clinical application during retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy.Methods The imaging, surgical video and clinical data of 278 cases undergoing retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy between July 2007 and September 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The renal pedicle was found located at the psoas and the medial arcuate ligament of the diaphragm for anatomic landmark before the gap of the psoas. A statistical analysis of the mean operative time, the mean time to look for the renal pedicle, the mean intraoperative estimated blood loss, the mean time to ambulation, the mean time to resuming oral intake, the mean postoperative hospital stay day and the rate of complications was performed.ResultsAll the operations were performed successfully, with no conversion to open and blood transfusion. The mean time to find the renal pedicle was (3.5 ± 1.3 ) min, the mean operative time was (95.6 ±23.8) min, the mean estimated blood loss was (72.4 ±27.5) ml, the mean time to resuming oral intake was (2.1 ±0.7) d, the mean time to ambulation was (1.8 ±0.9) d, the mean postoperative hospital stay was (8.5 ± 2.7 ) d.Conclusions During retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy, the best anatomical space to look for the renal pedicle is the space before the psoas muscle. The exact location of the renal pedicle is under the diaphragm medial arcuate ligament about 2 - 4 cm, in the gap of the psoas muscle and the vena cava (abdominal aorta). Following this procedure could reduce the time to look for the renal pedicle, thus reducing operative time. Key words: Laparoscopy ; Nephrectomy; Anatomy; Retroperitoneoscopy