Nephrectomy In Children Research Articles

Outcome Analysis of Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephrectomy in Children: Experience from a Developing Country.

To analyse the outcome of laparoscopic nephrectomy among children. An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Lahore, from September 2021 to June 2023. During the study, 100 children aged 5-180 months were included. Data regarding age, gender, cause, side, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes such as number of ports, estimated blood loss, need of transfusion, operative time, hospital stay, analgaesia requirement and complications were recorded. Data were collected through proforma which were entered and analysed through computer software SPSS version 16.0. Among 100 children, 58.0% were males and the mean age was 79.54 ±4.427 months while the major cause of laparoscopic nephrectomy was PUJO (Pelvi-Ureteric Junction Obstruction) for 47.0% of children. The mean blood loss was 19.93±65.556 ml and the majority of the children (96.0%) did not require blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 125.31 ± 43.365 minutes and the mean hospital stay was 2.82 ± 1.258 days. Most of the children (90.0%) had no complications while 3.0% had ileus which was managed conservatively and 3.0% were converted to open surgery while 4.0% had wound infection. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an effective technique with regard to insignificant blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, and rate of complications. Laparoscopy, Nephrectomy, Children, Operative time, Hospital stay, Complications.

Intraparenchymal Indocyanine Green Use Improves Nodal Yield During Minimally Invasive Tumor Nephrectomy in Children.

Introduction: Correctly identifying positive lymph nodes associated with pediatric renal tumors is key to guiding management. Recommended targets for lymph node sampling are commonly missed during tumor nephrectomy, particularly if minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) is used for lymph node mapping in adult oncology with excellent efficacy and safety profile. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken at a single-quaternary-level pediatric surgery center. All patients undergoing MIS radical or partial nephrectomy for renal tumors 2016-2023 were included. Patients managed from 2020 onwards received intra-parenchymal ICG prior to lymph node sampling. Main Results: Twenty-five patients underwent MIS nephrectomy at mean age 2 years 10 months. Eighteen patients were pre-ICG and 7 received ICG. ICG administration successfully demonstrated fluorescent nodes in all patients. Median number of nodes sampled was three pre-ICG and seven with ICG (P = 0.009). Forty-six nodes were sampled across 7 ICG patients-33 fluorescent, 10 non-fluorescent, and 3 identified histologically. Three nodes overall contained active disease, two pre-ICG and one fluorescent node with ICG. Neither operative time (180 pre-ICG versus 161 minutes ICG, P = 0.7) nor length of stay (72 versus 84 hours, P = 0.3) were significantly affected by ICG administration. There were no adverse events associated with ICG use. Conclusions: ICG is safe and effective at identifying nodes in MIS resection of pediatric renal tumors with the potential to increase the number of nodes sampled. Further research is needed, specifically a randomized control trial with extended follow-up.

Survival assessment of nephron-sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy in children with unilateral Wilms tumor receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Surgical treatment of unilateral Wilms tumor (WT) in children is controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the survival and prognosis of radical nephrectomy (RN) and nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in children with unilateral WT receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Data on pediatric patients with WT were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing the choice of surgical strategy. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess factors associated with overall survival. We included 1,825 patients with unilateral WT (<14 years) who received adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Between 2000 and 2019, the percentage of patients treated with NSS increased from 4% in 2000 to 8% in 2019. There was no significant difference in 10-year overall survival between the two surgical strategies [NSS vs. RN, 93.26% (95% CI, 86.88%-100%) vs. 92.17% (95% CI, 90.75%-93.61%), p=0.98]. Patients with unilateral WTs ≤4 cm were more likely to be treated with NSS. There was no survival benefit for patients treated with RN compared with that for those treated with NSS (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.29-1.86; p=0.5). The use of NSS in children with unilateral WT has increased over the last two decades. Tumor size is an important influencing factor for the surgical application of NSS. Patients who underwent NSS had an equivalent OS compared with the overall group of patients with unilateral tumors who received RN.

Nephrectomy for Pediatric Renal Tumors: A Modified Surgical Approach to Minimize Post-operative Intestinal Obstruction

BackgroundThe authors present a modified surgical technique during tumor nephrectomy in children with a conservative approach towards small bowel manipulation and cutting of the peritoneal reflections. We aimed to evaluate this modified surgical approach regarding the incidence of post-operative small bowel obstruction (SBO), and its technical utility. MethodsThe study includes all children with unilateral renal tumors who underwent radical nephrectomy and lymph nodes sampling at our tertiary center from 2010 to 2022. The modified technique was performed via the usual transverse incision. We cut the peritoneal reflections short of the cecum or short of the sigmoid colon. The colon is reflected over SB packing it, proceeding to nephrectomy and lymph nodes sampling. Data included demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, operative details, post-operative SBO, and overall outcomes. ResultsThe study included 890 patients with a median age of 3.2 years. The median tumor largest diameter was 13 cm (range: 9–18 cm). The modified surgical technique was adopted in 287 patients (32.3 %). Forty-three patients (43/890, 4.8 %) had post-operative SBO. Out of them, only 4 cases were operated on using the modified surgical technique (p-value<0.001). There were no significant differences between both techniques regarding timing of surgery, tumor rupture, lymph nodes sampling, and tumor size (p-value = 0.775, 0.328, 0.216, and 0.563, respectively). ConclusionsThe modified surgical approach is significantly correlated with lower incidence of post-operative SBO with no increased risk of tumor rupture or incomplete lymph nodes sampling. The timing of surgery or tumor characteristics had no significant impact on the technical utility of the modified surgical approach. Level of EvidenceLevel IV.

Nephrectomy in Children: A Single Center Experience

Nephrectomy in Children: A Single Center Experience

Nephrectomy in Children: A Single Center Experience

Background: The surgical removal of the kidney, nephrectomy, is not a minor surgical procedure. It is a major endeavor. Indications for nephrectomy range from benign to malignant pathological conditions. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children aged 15 years and below who had nephrectomy between January 2016 and December 2020 at the pediatric surgery unit of a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. The information extracted included the age of the patient at presentation, gender, and predominant presenting symptom and the pathology (indication), duration of symptoms before presentation to the hospital, time interval between presentation and nephrectomy, operative procedure performed complications of treatment, duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment. Results: Eighteen (18) pediatric nephrectomies were performed during the study period. There were 14 (77.8%) males and 4 (22.2%) females. The mean age of the patients was 6 years with a range of 3 years to 9 years. Nephroblastoma was the most common indication (pathology) for nephrectomy. Nephrectomies were performed more on the left side than on the right. Simple nephrectomy was performed in all the patients. However, children with nephroblastoma had nephroureterectomy. Surgical site infection was the most common post-operative complication. About one-quarter of the patients expired due to tumor metastasis. Conclusion: Nephrectomy is the optimal procedure for neoplasm of the kidney or non-functional kidney. Malignant kidney tumour (nephroblastoma) was the most common indication for nephrectomy in the present study.

Risk factors for post-nephrectomy hypotension in pediatric patients.

Although hypotension is a life-threatening complication of nephrectomy in children, risk factors for its development remain unknown. We evaluated the incidence, clinical course, and associated risk factors of pediatric post-nephrectomy hypotension in an observational study. This retrospective observational study included the clinical data of children who underwent nephrectomy in our center between 2002 and 2020. Patients undergoing nephrectomy at kidney transplantation and those who developed hypotension before nephrectomy were excluded. The study included 55 nephrectomies in 51 patients, including 42 unilateral, 4 two-stage bilateral, and 5 simultaneous bilateral nephrectomies. The diagnoses were isolated Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, congenital nephrotic syndrome, Denys-Drash syndrome, WAGR (Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary malformations, and mental retardation) syndrome, and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in 24, 10, 9, 6, 1, and 1 patient, respectively. Post-nephrectomy hypotension developed in 11 (20%) patients. Two patients (3.6%) had persistent hypotension; both had their kidneys resected, and one patient (1.8%) died. Male sex, kidney disease, resection of both kidneys, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, increased left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole, hypertension before nephrectomy, antihypertensive use, hyperreninemia, and hyperaldosteronism were significantly associated with post-nephrectomy hypotension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension before nephrectomy was the only significant risk factor for post-nephrectomy hypotension (P = 0.04). Hypertension before nephrectomy is a significant risk factor for pediatric post-nephrectomy hypotension. Life-threatening hypotension, which might occur after bilateral nephrectomy in infants, should be considered, especially in children with higher risks.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children: Does the approach matter?

Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is an established technique for the management of benign non-functioning kidneys in children. It can be performed either by the transperitoneal (TP) or retroperitoneal (RP) approach. The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of TP with RP approach for LN in children. Between 2007 and 2019, 79 consecutive pediatric patients with benign non-functioning kidneys underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy by a single surgeon. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the approach; Group 1 included 41 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (TPLN), while Group 2 included 38 patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (RPLN). Comparison was done between the two groups regarding the mean operative time, complications, time to resume oral intake, need for postoperative analgesia and postoperative hospital stay. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was successfully completed in 75 of the 79 cases. Four cases were converted to open surgery: 3 from the TPLN group and one from the RPLN group (p=0.34). There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of estimated blood loss (p=0.013), time to resume oral intake (p=0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (p=0.024). Overall, there was no statistically significant difference as regard mean operative time, overall complication rate, and postoperative analgesia need. LN is now an established technique in children and surgeon experience is a limiting factor. This experience should be gained progressively with respect to both TP and RP approaches to deal with different indications by optimal approach. Both TP and RP approaches are excellent approaches and it is up to individual surgeons, based on their experience, which approach they select. In this study, a comparative study was made between both TP and RP approaches for pediatric LN. There was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches as regard success rate, mean operative time, need for postoperative analgesia and overall complication rate. In the meantime, RPLN had the advantage of lower intraoperative blood loss, shorter time to resume oral intake and shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children may be performed by transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approaches, obtaining equal safety and efficacy. The retroperitoneal approach seems to be advantageous in terms of lower intraoperative blood loss, time to resume oral intake and shorter postoperative hospital stay.

Native nephrectomy in the management of hypertension in children with kidney disease: a tool to improve blood pressure control.

Hypertension in children with abnormal kidneys often requires multiple antihypertensive agents (complex), or could present with complications (e.g. hypertensive encephalopathy). Our objective in this report is to evaluate blood pressure control following unilateral or bilateral laparoscopic native nephrectomy in children with renal hypertension. Single-centre retrospective review of all children who underwent nephrectomy for management of hypertension over a recent study period (2008-2017) with post-operative follow-up of at least 3years. We describe the association of age, primary kidney disease and blood pressure and its management including time to resolution following unilateral or bilateral nephrectomy. During the 9-year study period, 21 of 215 (9.8%) children underwent nephrectomy for management of hypertension. We included 19 children [6 with unilateral native nephrectomy (UNN) and 13 with bilateral native nephrectomy (BNN)] in this study as they continued with their follow-up at our centre. Out of the 19 children, 15 had laparoscopic retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies and 4 had laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomies. Six children had unilateral nephrectomy and 13 children had bilateral nephrectomies [7 were pre-transplant (haemodialysis-6, peritoneal dialysis-1) and 6 were post-kidney transplant]. Fifteen of 19 children (79%) had complete resolution [5 UNN and 10 BNN] and 3 (16%) partial resolution [1 UNN and 2 BNN]. One patient with BNN was observed to have no change in blood pressure control. Our data demonstrate improved management of hypertension in 95% of the children. Nephrectomy could offer a reasonable treatment option for selected group of complex and complicated renal hypertension.

Ureteral stump syndrome after ureteroureteroanastomosis, heminephrectomy and nephrectomy in children

Introduction. Nephrectomy (NE), heminephrectomy (HNE) and the formation of ipsilateral ureteroureteroanastomosis (UUA) do not exclude the possibility of preserving the distal ureter. The remaining ureteral stump can cause the formation of ureteral stump syndrome (USS) in the form of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), hematuria, pain syndrome, and stump empyema in some cases.Purpose of the study. To assess the incidence and treatment approach of USS in children after NE, HNE and UUA performed using open and laparoscopic access in different Russian clinics.Material and methods. The study is based on the results of treatment of 778 patients from 9 clinics in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the period from 1998 to 2020. Patients underwent NE, HNE and UUA by open or laparoscopic access. The ureter was not removed completely, its stump was left. Open access was used in 313 (40.2%) children, laparoscopic in 465 (59.8%) cases. USS was detected in 27 (3.5%) patients. The ureteral stump was removed in 26 (96.3%) children. Open removal of the ureteral stump was performed in 11 (42.3%) patients, through laparoscopic access in 13 (50.0%) and vesicoscopically in 2 (7.7%) children.Results. There were 12 boys (44.4%) and 15 girls (55.6%) among the patients with USS. USS was detected on the right in 13 (48.1%) children, on the left - in 14 (51.9%). The median age of the patients was 25 [12; 42] months at the time of USS detection. Ureteral stump was sutured and ligated in 15 (55.6%) children during the primary operation, the stump was left open after excision in 4 (14.8%) children, it was not indicated how the stump was processed in 8 (29.6%) patients. Reflux to the stump was detected in 13 (48.1%) patients, USS against the background of obstruction was detected in 14 (51.9%) children. It was determined that the frequency of SCM is lower (9 (1.9%)) with the use of laparoscopic access than with open (18 (5.8%)) operations (p &lt; 0.004). Clinical manifestations occurred in 85% of patients with USS within a year after surgery.Conclusion. USS is a rare complication (3.5% of cases) in patients who have undergone NE, HNE and UUA with the distal ureteric stump preserving. Performing these operations by laparoscopic access allows carrying out total ureterectomy and significantly reduces the likelihood of USS development.

Preparing for a kidney transplant: Medical nephrectomy in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and general edema. These symptoms may persist in children who reach ESRD, which is unfavorable for the patient's allograft outcome. In addition, this may hamper early diagnosis of a relapse after transplantation. Surgical bilateral nephrectomy is often considered for that reason, but medical nephrectomy may be a less invasive alternative. In this retrospective single-center case series, we identified all children on dialysis with ESRD due to nephrotic syndrome in which a medical nephrectomy was attempted before kidney transplantation between 2013 and 2018. Outcome was measured by urine output and serum albumin levels. Eight patients with either congenital nephrotic syndrome or focal segmental glomerular sclerosis were included in the study. All patients received an ACE inhibitor as drug of first choice for medical nephrectomy, to which 5 patients responded with oligoanuria and a significant rise in serum albumin, and 3 patients responded insufficiently. In 1 of these 3 patients, diclofenac was added to the ACE inhibitor, with good result. In the other 2 patients, indomethacin was initiated without success, and surgical bilateral nephrectomy was performed. Overall, 6/8 patients had a successful medical nephrectomy and did not need surgical nephrectomy. No recurrence of nephrotic syndrome was found after kidney transplantation in all but one. Medical nephrectomy with ACE inhibitors and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is a safe and non-invasive therapy to minimize proteinuria in children with ESRD due to nephrotic syndrome before kidney transplantation. We suggest that this strategy should be considered as therapy before proceeding with surgical nephrectomy.

Oncological and renal function outcome in children with unilateral wilms' tumors treated with nephron sparing surgery or ablative nephrectomy

Background: We prospectively evaluated the oncological and renal functional outcomes of children with unilateral Wilms' tumor (WT) undergoing nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) versus ablative nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: Children presenting with unilateral WT from January 2006 to December 2015 were prospectively randomized to undergo either ablative (simple/radical) nephrectomy or NSS. Treatment was administered according to the Societe Internationale d'Oncologie Pediatrique-2001 protocol. Results: During the 10-year study period, 13 children underwent ablative nephrectomy, and 15 underwent NSS (partial nephrectomy/wedge excision). The contralateral kidneys were found to be normal on ultrasonography and computed tomography imaging. The mean age at intervention was 44.8 ± 16.7 months. Eight children presented with Stage I disease and the remaining 20 had Stage II disease. The mean follow-up period was 53. 68 ± 23.82 months and all children were alive at the last follow-up without any clinical evidence of disease. The event-free survival rates were 100% and 92.3% in the children undergoing NSS and ablative nephrectomy, respectively. The children who underwent ablative nephrectomy presented with considerably higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as well as significantly elevated mean values of serum creatinine compared to their ablative nephrectomy counterparts. Conclusion: The oncological outcome of NSS was as good as ablative nephrectomy in children with unilateral WTs. NSS also minimized the loss of renal function.

Partial and radical nephrectomy in children, adolescents, and young adults: Equivalent readmissions and postoperative complications

ObjectivesTo compare and contrast the use of partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) in pediatric malignant renal tumors using a nationally representative database. MethodsThe 2010–2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to obtain PN and RN select postoperative data. ICD-9-CM codes were used to identify children (<10 years), adolescents (10–19 years) and young adults (20–30 years) diagnosed with malignant renal tumors who were treated with a PN or RN. The presence of a 30-day readmission, occurrence of postoperative complications, cost, and length of stay (LOS) were studied and weighted logistic regression models were fit to test for associations. ResultsThere were 4330 weighted encounters (1289 PNs, 3041 RNs) that met inclusion criteria: 50.8% were children, 7.2% were adolescents, and 42% were young adults. Young adults had the highest rates of PN, whereas children had the highest rates of RN (p < 0.0001). Overall, no evidence was found to suggest a difference in odds between surgical modality and the presence of a 30-day readmission or postoperative complication. While PN was on average $9000 cheaper compared to RN overall, its cost was similar to that of RN for children. Similarly, PN patients had a shorter overall LOS compared to RN patients, but their LOS was similar to that of children who underwent RN. ConclusionThere was no evidence of a difference in odds between RN and PN in terms of postoperative readmissions or in-hospital complication rates. Additionally, we observed descriptive differences in both cost and LOS between the surgical modalities across age groups. Type of studyRetrospective comparative study (administrative database analysis). Level of evidenceLevel III.

Paediatric nephrectomy: Patterns, indications and outcome in a developing country.

Patterns of and indications for nephrectomy vary in different age groups, geographical locations and time periods. In some series nephrectomies were mainly for malignant conditions while in others they were predominantly for non-malignant conditions. Such data on patterns, indications, and outcomes of nephrectomy in children is limited in our environment. To evaluate nephrectomy in childhood at the Sub-Department of Pediatric Surgery University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla Enugu with a focus on pattern, indications, and outcome. Medical records of all patients aged =16years who had nephrectomy from January 2007 to December 2016 were studied with emphasis on age, sex, side of nephrectomy, duration of symptoms before presentation, indication for nephrectomy, in-hospital complications, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality. SPSS version 15 was used for data entry and analysis. There were 52 nephrectomies in 32 males and 20 females. They were for 35 malignant and 17 non-malignant conditions. Most of the malignancies were Wilms tumour (34/35) while non-malignant conditions were late-presenting pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (9), large multi-cystic dysplastic kidneys (4), renal trauma with pedicle avulsion (1), posterior urethral valve with atrophic kidney (1), duplex system with nonfunctioning upper pole moiety (2). Mean age at nephrectomy was 5.10±3.66 years (range 7 weeks to 16 years); 59% of the nephrectomies were on the left and 41% on the right. Mean duration of hospital stay was 31.78±16.59 days (range 7-66 days). In-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. In our unit, nephroblastoma is the main indication for pediatric nephrectomy and were the only indications in females; neglected pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction was the major non-malignant indication and occurred only in males; most nephrectomies were done in the age range of 1-5 years; nephron-sparing nephrectomy, major morbidity, re-operation are uncommon and in-hospital mortality from nephrectomy is still high at 5.8%.

What is the risk of local recurrence after laparoscopic transperitoneal radical nephrectomy in children with Wilms tumours? Analysis of a local series and review of the literature

To reduce long-term morbidity (adhesions-related complications and impaired quality of life due to scars), laparoscopy has been used as an alternative to open surgery in Wilms tumours (WTs). However, concerns have been raised on the risk of local recurrence after this type of resection. The aim was to determine the incidence of local recurrence after laparoscopic transperitoneal radical nephrectomy (LTRN). We analysed 18 local cases and conducted a review of the English literature in Pubmed from 2004 to 2017 with the following keywords: (Wilms OR nephroblastoma) AND (laparoscopy OR minimally invasive surgery) AND 2004:3000. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Data were collected independently in duplicate in a preformed Excel database. Review articles and duplicated case reports were excluded. Patients with retroperitoneoscopic or nephron-sparing surgery were also excluded. One hundred and four LTRNs have been performed for WT with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 93 cases. Tumour was ruptured preoperatively in three cases but never intraoperatively. The median volume of the tumour was 229.4mL (3.8-776mL). Local stage was specified in 86 cases: 49 stage I, 28 stage II, and nine stage III. Lymph nodes were sampled in 48 patients (median 2.3 [0-14] nodes). Histology was reported in 90 cases: 27 favourable and two unfavourable histology (COG); and six low, 50 intermediate, and five high-risk tumours (International Society of Paediatric Oncology). With a median follow-up of 20.5 months (1-114 months), there were four local recurrences (3.8%) at a median of 8.5 (7-9) months after surgery. Three tumours were initial local stage I (2 intermediate and 1 high risk) and one stage III. The results are presented in the Figure. The incidence of local recurrence after LTRN is 3.8%. This is lower than previously reported after open resection. However, tumours amenable to minimally invasive surgery are smaller, with higher numbers of low stage and standard histology. Additionally, the quality of the reports is suboptimal and follow-up is relatively short. LTRN does not seem to increase the incidence of local recurrence in WT but inclusion of patients in international protocols with prolonged and systematic follow-up is of utmost importance to carefully evaluate this risk.

Селективно/сегментарная резекция почки как альтернатива органоуносящим операциям при гидронефрозе у детей

Селективно/сегментарная резекция почки как альтернатива органоуносящим операциям при гидронефрозе у детей

Nephrectomy in children with wilms' tumor: 15 years of experience with "Tumor Delivery Technique".

Background:The contemporary surgical approach to Wilms' tumors follows that used in adults with renal cell carcinomas, namely, early occlusion of the renal vessels and then removal of the kidney as an intact mass. For years, the surgical approach at our institution has been different, starting with blunt separation of the kidney from the surrounding tissues, followed by its delivery outside the abdominal cavity while it is only attached to the major blood vessels which are subsequently ligated. We aimed to present this “tumor delivery technique” and evaluate its outcomes.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed medical records of children who underwent nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor using “tumor delivery technique.” All procedures were performed by the same team, according to the same surgical principles.Results:Between 2000 and 2015, 36 children were operated. Median age was 31 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–45 mo), and median maximal tumor diameter was 10 cm (IQR: 8–13.9 cm). Tumors were located to the right side in 47%, left side in 42%, and bilateral in 11%. Twelve children have received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Capsular disruption and tumor spillage were documented in 4 cases (11%).Conclusions:“Tumor delivery technique” is an easy and safe approach which might reduce the overall complication rates and the incidence of intraoperative tumor spillage.

Feasibility of laparoscopic tumour nephrectomy in children

AimsThe laparoscopic approach to tumour nephrectomy in children is controversial. We therefore reviewed our institution's cases of tumour nephrectomy (laparoscopic, open, and converted) to better understand which is suitable for this approach, what factors prevent it, and whether one can excise tumours greater than the CCLG recommendation of 300 ml. MethodsAll tumour nephrectomies performed between 2002 and 2016 were identified using our surgical database. Further data were gathered from radiology and pathology databases. Those with nonrenal tumours or having a partial nephrectomy were excluded. Tumour maximum diameters, volumes, and ratios to contralateral kidneys were calculated. A Mann–Whitney U was used to compare the groups. ResultsForty-three cases were included. Fifteen procedures were completed laparoscopically (35%), and a further 3 converted. The median age at surgery was 2.5 years (range 0–10) in the laparoscopic group and 2 years (range 0–15) in the open group. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the laparoscopic and open groups for: median maximum diameter (10cm vs 12.25cm), median volume (155 ml vs 459 ml), maximum diameter ratio (1.22 vs 1.75), and volume ratio (3.8 vs 11.2). ConclusionTumours in the laparoscopic group were significantly smaller, but it was possible to excise tumours more than 300 ml. Difficulties in excision related to tumour size relative to the abdomen. Therefore, a ratio of tumour to contralateral kidney may be a better guide to safe excision than an overall volume cutoff. From our series, the laparoscopic approach is likely to be achievable if the volume ratio is ≤ 8.1. Level of evidenceLevel 3.

Retroperitoneal and laparoscopic heminephrectomy in duplex kidney in infants and children.

Two main techniques are adopted to perform partial nephrectomy in children: laparoscopy and retroperitoneoscopy. The aim of this paper is to review the larger multicentric experience recently published by our group to review indications, techniques and results of both approaches. Data of 102 patients underwent partial nephrectomy in a 5-year period using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures were analyzed. Fifty-two children underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), and 50 children underwent retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Median age at surgery was 4.2 years. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 test and Student's t-test. The overall complications rate was significantly higher after RPN (15/50, 30%) than after LPN (10/52, 19%) (χ2 =0.05). In LPN group, complications [4 urinomas, 2 symptomatic refluxing distal ureteral stump (RDUS) and 4 urinary leakages] were conservatively managed. In RPN group, complications (6 urinomas, 8 RDUS, 1 opening of remaining calyxes) required a re-operation in 2 patients. In both groups no conversion to open surgery was reported. Operative time (LPN: 166.2 min vs. RPN: 255 min; P<0.001) and hospitalization (LPN: 3.5 days vs. RPN: 4.1 days; P<0.001) were significantly shorter in LPN group. No postoperative loss of renal function was reported in both groups. MIS now represents the gold standard technique to perform partial nephrectomy in children with duplex kidney. Our results demonstrate that RPN remains a technically demanding procedure with a significantly higher complications and re-operation rate compared to LPN. In addition, length of surgery and hospitalization were significantly shorter after LPN compared to RPN. LPN seems to be a faster, safer and technically easier procedure to perform in children compared to RPN due to a larger operative space and the possibility to perform a complete ureterectomy in refluxing systems.

Compensatory renal overgrowth after unilateral nephrectomy in children

Compensatory renal overgrowth after unilateral nephrectomy in children