Laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery in the treatment of renal tumors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the operative techniques and the methods of the renal function protection in laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery for the treatment of renal tumors.Methods Thirty-six renal tumor patients accepted transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy at the 70 degree lateral decubitus position.There were 17 tumors in the upper pole,13 in the lower pole and 6 in the center of kindey.The mean tumor diameter was 2.6 cm(from 0.8 to 4.0 cm).Peke forceps were used to clamp the renal artery and achieve warm ischemia.Cold scissors was used to resect tumors and Hem-o-lok was used to clamp and control the artery bleeding in surgical bed instead of ligature when suturing the kidney parenchyma.Ulinastatin was used to prevent and relieve the ischemical reperfusion injury.The operative time,estimated blood loss,warm ischemia time,intraoperative and postoperative complications and the operative efficacy were recorded.Results All operations were completed successfully,no case was converted to open surgery.The mean operative time was 128 min(95 to 186 min),mean estimated blood loss was 130 ml (40 to 600 ml),mean warm ischemia time was 21 min(16to 28 min).There was no hemorrhage and urinary leakage after surgery.The post-operative renal function was normal in all the cases.The histopathological examination showed that 36 cases were renal cell carcinoma including 31 pT1a,cases and 5 pT1b cases.There was no positive surgical margin.The mean follow-up time was 16 months (from 6 to 30 months).There was no recurrence and metastasis found and renal function was normal in all cases during the follow-up.Conclusions Laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery for renal tumors is a safe and feasible treatment option.This procedure can resect tumor safely and preserve renal function efficiently.The use of Hem-o-lok instead of ligature can significantly reduce the operative time.Ulinastatin can help reducing the ischemical reperfusion injury and thus preserve renal function. Key words: Laparoscopes; Nephron sparing surgery; Kidney neoplasms