Long-Term Impact of Laparoscopic Cyst Decortication on Renal Function, Hypertension and Pain Control in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

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Cyst proliferation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is associated with renal failure, hypertension and pain. We examined the long-term impact of laparoscopic cyst decortication on renal function, hypertension and pain control in patients with adult dominant polycystic kidney disease presenting with refractory pain. Between 1994 and 2003, 37 patients with adult dominant polycystic kidney disease underwent laparoscopic cyst decortication at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. A total of 19 patients (4 male, 15 female) with at least 3-year followup were included in the study. Renal function was evaluated using the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) estimated glomerular filtration rate formula. End stage renal disease was defined as progression to transplant, dialysis or stage 5 chronic kidney disease. Hypertension was evaluated using the antihypertensive therapeutic index. Pain assessment was based primarily on a telephone questionnaire. At a mean followup of 10.9 years (range 6.4 to 16.9), 67% of evaluable patients reported more than 50% improvement in pain. Ten patients had progression to end stage renal disease--3 dialysis, 6 transplant, and 1 chronic kidney disease stage 5. Two patients had stage 5 chronic kidney disease at initial presentation. A comparison of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate between patients with and those without end stage renal disease revealed a lower preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate in the former group (43.4 vs 75.4 ml/minute/1.73 m(2), p = 0.01). Of the patients 53% had an improved or stable antihypertensive therapeutic index at last followup, although no improvement in mean overall antihypertensive therapeutic index was noted (4.7 pre-laparoscopic cyst decortications vs 7.0 post-laparoscopic cyst decortications, p = 0.28). Durable pain relief but not hypertension control was seen at 10-year followup. Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate is a strong predictor of post-laparoscopic cyst decortication progression to end stage renal disease. A cautious approach with laparoscopic cyst decortication should be taken in patients with poor preoperative renal function.