Outcomes Of Nephron-sparing Surgery Research Articles

Positive Margins in Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in 855 Cases: A Multi-Institutional Survey From the United States and Europe

Open partial nephrectomy has emerged as the standard of care in the management of renal tumors smaller than 4 cm. While laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has been shown to be comparable to open radical nephrectomy with respect to long-term outcomes, important questions remain unanswered regarding the oncological efficacy of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We examined the practice patterns and pathological outcomes following laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. A survey was sent to academic medical centers in the United States and in Europe performing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The total number of laparoscopic partial nephrectomies, positive margins, indications for intraoperative frozen biopsy as well as tumor size and position were queried. Surveys suitable for analysis were received from 17 centers with a total of 855 laparoscopic partial nephrectomy cases. Mean tumor size was 2.7 cm (+/-0.6). There were 21 cases with positive margins on final pathology, giving an overall positive margin rate of 2.4%. Intraoperative frozen sections were performed selectively at 10 centers based on clinical suspicion of positive margins on excised tumor. Random biopsies were routinely performed on the resection bed at 5 centers. Frozen sections were never performed at 2 centers. Of the 21 cases with positive margins 14 underwent immediate radical nephrectomy based on the frozen section and 7 were followed expectantly. Early experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in this multicenter study demonstrates oncological efficacy comparable to that of open partial nephrectomy with respect to the incidence of positive margins. The practice of intraoperative frozen sections varied among centers and is not definitive in guiding the optimal surgical treatment.

Nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma up to 7 cm

To compare the oncological outcome of nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma up to 7 cm by retrospectively reviewing our surgical experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Data collected from 1290 consecutive patients, who underwent surgery for renal carcinoma, have been stored since 1983 into a dedicated database. The cases with unilateral carcinoma up to 7 cm, pT1a/pT1b/pT3a N0/Nx M0, followed up for a minimum of 12 months if disease-free were reviewed. RESULTS. 732 patients were selected (mean follow-up: 72 months); 329 had a tumor less than 4 cm in diameter (182 cases of nephron-sparing surgery, 147 cases of nephrectomy), while for 403 of them the tumor was 4 cm or more (57 cases of nephron-sparing surgery, 346 cases of nephrectomy). The comparison between tumors less and equal to/more than 4 cm showed worse progression and disease-free survival rates for the latter, even though the type of surgery (nephron-sparing or radical) had no significant impact. Patients with extracapsular carcinoma ≥4 cm, treated with nephron-sparing surgery, had a particularly poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS. The conservative management can be cautiously suggested for renal cancers up to 7cm, since the prognosis worsens proportionally with the diameter increase, with no statistical difference for both nephron-sparing and radical surgery. Nephron-sparing surgery proved to be the suitable treatment modality also for pT3a tumors measuring <4 cm, whereas when the tumor size increases, an adequate intraoperative evaluation of peritumoral tissues is essential to rule out fat infiltration. These results comply with the few similar studies available in literature, and suggest the possibility of designing a prospective study aiming at comparing conservative and radical surgery in the management of renal carcinoma up to 7 cm.

5-Year Outcomes of Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is increasingly a definitive therapeutic option in patients with a small renal mass. Intermediate term oncological outcomes after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy are excellent up to a mean followup of 3 years. We present outcomes in 56 patients, each of whom has now completed a minimum of 5 years of followup after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Of the 557 laparoscopic partial nephrectomies performed at our institution 58 patients with a localized tumor have completed more than 5 years since surgery. Clinical and renal functional data on 56 patients (97%) were obtained from medical records, radiographic reports and patient contact via telephone. Average patient age was 64 years and 9% were symptomatic at presentation. Average tumor size was 2.9 cm. On histopathology renal cell carcinoma was confirmed in 37 cases (66%) and pathological tumor stage was pT1a in 32 (86%). Final surgical margin was positive for cancer in 1 patient. Median serum creatinine preoperatively and postoperatively was 0.9 and 1.0 mg/dl, respectively. No patient with normal baseline serum creatinine undergoing elective laparoscopic partial nephrectomy had postoperative chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine more than 2 mg/dl). At a median followup of 5.7 years (range 5.0 to 6.9) no distant recurrence (0%) and a single local recurrence (2.7%) were detected. Overall and cancer specific survival was 86% and 100%, respectively, at 5 years. To our knowledge this is the initial report in the literature of oncological and renal functional outcomes 5 years after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with excellent results comparable to those of open nephron sparing surgery. At our center laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an established alternative to open partial nephrectomy.

The Role of Nephron Sparing Surgery for Metastatic (pM1) Renal Cell Carcinoma

Studies have demonstrated increased time to progression when cytoreductive nephrectomy is performed for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We evaluated the role of nephron sparing surgery in these patients. We selected all patients with pM1 renal cell carcinoma treated with nephron sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy, and all patients with pM0 renal cell carcinoma undergoing nephron sparing surgery for solitary kidney from 1970 to 2002 from the Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy Registry. We identified 16 patients who underwent nephron sparing surgery for pM1 renal cell carcinoma. Solitary kidney was present in 12, 3 had bilateral synchronous disease and 1 had elective nephron sparing surgery. Cancer specific survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 81%, 49% and 49%, respectively. We identified 404 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for pM1 renal cell carcinoma. Cancer specific survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 51%, 21% and 13%, respectively. The pM1 nephron sparing surgery for solitary kidney cases were more likely to have early (33% vs 10%, p = 0.009) or late (50% vs 19%, p = 0.018) complications compared with pM1 radical nephrectomy cases. There were no significant differences in early (p = 0.475) or late (p = 0.350) complications between pM1 nephron sparing surgery cases and 139 pM0 nephron sparing surgery cases. Cancer specific survival rates in pM1 nephron sparing surgery cases were comparable to pM1 radical nephrectomy cases. Although there were differences in early and late complications between the pM1 nephron sparing surgery and pM1 radical nephrectomy groups, there were no differences when compared with imperative pM0 nephron sparing surgery cases. This study demonstrates that nephron sparing surgery can achieve adequate cytoreductive therapy while preserving renal function, with postoperative complication rates similar to those of pM0 nephron sparing surgery cases.

Open Partial Nephrectomy for Tumor in a Solitary Kidney: Experience With 400 Cases

We present a series of 400 patients with tumor in a solitary kidney who underwent open surgical partial nephrectomy performed by a single surgeon (ACN) with a primary focus on postoperative long-term kidney function. A total of 400 patients with sporadic nonfamilial kidney tumors in a solitary kidney underwent open partial nephrectomy between 1980 and 2002. In 323 patients (81%) the contralateral kidney had been surgically removed, while the remaining 77 (19%) had a congenital solitary kidney. Renal insufficiency was present preoperatively in 184 patients (46%). Adverse risk factors for partial nephrectomy were present in a large percent of patients. Intraoperative and postoperative parameters were evaluated at a mean followup of 44 months. In the overall series 5 and 10-year cancer specific survival was 89% and 82%, respectively. Surgical complications occurred in 52 patients (13%), most commonly urinary leakage. Early postoperative renal function was achieved in 398 patients (99.5%). Only 2 patients required permanent dialysis postoperatively. Satisfactory long-term renal function was achieved in 382 patients (95.5%). A total of 18 patients had progressed to renal failure a mean of 3.6 years after surgery. Patient age, the amount of renal parenchyma resected, a congenitally absent or atrophic contralateral kidney and the time of contralateral nephrectomy were noted to be significantly associated with postoperative renal function. Open surgical partial nephrectomy can be safely performed in patients with tumor in a solitary kidney. Long-term cancer-free survival with the preservation of renal function can be reliably expected in most of these cases.

Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in Solitary Kidney

We report our experience with LPN for tumor in a solitary kidney. Of 430 patients undergoing LPN since February 1999 at our institution 22 (5%) underwent LPN for tumor in a solitary kidney, as performed by a single surgeon. The laparoscopic technique that we used duplicated open principles, including hilar clamping, cold cut tumor excision and sutured renal reconstruction. Mean tumor size was 3.6 cm (range 1.4 to 8.3, median 3 cm), median blood loss was 200 cc (range 50 to 500), warm ischemia time was 29 minutes (range 14 to 55), total operative time was 3.3 hours (range 2.2 to 4.5) and hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 1.3 to 12). Two cases (9%) were electively converted to open surgery. Pathological findings confirmed renal cell carcinoma in 16 patients (73%) with negative surgical margins in all those with LPN. Major complications occurred in 3 patients (15%) and minor complications developed in 7 (32%). Median preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine (1.2 and 1.5 mg/dl) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (67.5 and 50 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) reflected a change of 33% and 27%, respectively, which appeared proportionate to the median amount of kidney parenchyma excised (23%). One patient (4.5%) required temporary hemodialysis. At a median followup of 2.5 years (range 0.5 to 4.5) cancer specific and overall survival was 100% and 91%, respectively. No patient with LPN had local or port site recurrence, or metastatic disease. LPN can be performed efficaciously and safely in select patients with tumor in a solitary kidney. To our knowledge we present the largest series in the literature. Advanced laparoscopic experience and expertise are necessary in this high risk population.

COMPLICATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY OPEN NEPHRON SPARING SURGERY: A SINGLE INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE

Open nephron sparing surgery (NSS) is now the standard of care for small renal tumors irrespective of overall renal function. More recently laparoscopic NSS with hilar clamping has emerged, albeit with relatively longer ischemic times. We reviewed our experience with contemporary open NSS, comparing complication rates to those of historical controls and updating data for comparison with minimally invasive procedures. From 1985 to 2001, 823 open NSSs were performed at our institution. Early (within 30 days of NSS) and late (30 days to 1 year) complications were compared using the chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests between procedures performed in 1985 to 1995 (control group of 343 patients) and 1996 to 2001 (contemporary group of 480). In the control vs the contemporary group there were significant decreases in intraoperative blood loss (median 550 vs 350 cc, p <0.001), chronic renal insufficiency/failure (14.6% vs 8.1%, p = 0.003), dialysis need (7.0% vs 2.1%, p <0.001) and any early (13.4% vs 6.9%, p = 0.002) or late (32.4% vs 24.6%, p = 0.014) complication. In the contemporary group 50% of patients did not require pedicle clamping, 32% underwent warm ischemia (median 12 minutes) and 18% underwent cold ischemia (median 27 minutes). In addition, patients with a warm ischemia time of 20 minutes or less had fewer early complications than patients with greater than 20 minutes of ischemia, although this did not attain statistical significance (3.8% vs 13.6%, p = 0.063). Complications resulting from open NSS have significantly decreased with time. Contemporary open NSS is associated with minimal morbidity, and decreases the need for pedicle clamping and overall ischemia time.

Long-Term Results of Nephron Sparing Surgery for Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma

Several unrandomized studies from the current literature confirm that in selected patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), nephron sparing surgery (NSS) shows to be as effective as radical surgery. In this regard, we evaluated the data from patients treated by using such a conservative approach with a long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods. We considered 28 patients (19 M, 9 F; median age 54 years) with unilateral, localized, small (&lt; 4 cm) RCC, submitted to NSS from 1988 to 1994. Only 3 of them (10%) were symptomatic at presentation. Oncological follow-up had been conducted with visits every 4 months for the first two years, every six for another three years and then annually. Results. All the patients were clinical stage T1aN0M0 (UICC TNM 2002). Grading was: 10 G1, 10 G2, 8 G3. Mean tumor diameter was 3.2 cm. After a long-term follow-up (mean 10 years, range 8–14), none present local relapse, disease specific survival is 93% and overall survival is 86%. Based on biochemistry, 82% of the remaining patients still have a normal renal function. Conclusions. Given the excellent long-term results and the recognized benefits of elective NSS, this approach should be preferentially adopted in a selected population of patients with small (&lt;4 cm), unilateral, RCC.

Outcome of Nephron-Sparing Surgery: Elective versus Imperative Indications

Introduction: The increase in the detection of renal tumors incidentally in earlier stages has enhanced the enthusiasm for nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). Patients and Methods: We performed NSS in 76 patients (53 male, 23 female) with a mean age 52.3 between December 1988 and September 2001. Patients were sub-classified into 2 groups as elective or imperative indication group. They were compared regarding surgical technique, time of surgery, pathological analysis, complications, and disease free status. Results: Elective indication group (group I) with a normal contralateral kidney consisted of 50 patients, whereas there were 26 patients in the imperative indication group (group II). Tumors were incidentally detected in 63%; 74% in group I and 42% in group II. Although the mean diameter of the tumor was slightly higher in group II (39.1 vs. 36.3 mm), this difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The partial nephrectomy was performed more frequently compared to enucleation in group I (90 vs. 69%, p = 0.050). However, the mean operation time as well as the mean clamping time did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the histological evaluation tumors were benign in 16 (21%) and malignant in 60 patients. All of the patients but one with renal cell carcinoma had stage T1-T2 disease. Major complications were observed in 14 (18%) and 12 were from group II. Complication rate was significantly higher in group II (p = 0.000). Of 60 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 2 died of unrelated causes. One patient died with multiple visceral metastases. One patient was lost to follow-up. In the remaining 56 patients with a mean follow-up of 37.1 months (1–152), local recurrence or distant metastases were not detected. Serum creatinine levels have remained almost the same compared to preoperative levels (1.2 ± 0.6 vs. 1.5 ± 0.9). Overall and cancer-specific survivals were 100 and 100% in group I, 85 and 95% in group II, and 94 and 98% for the entire patient population, respectively. Conclusion: NSS is an effective and reliable treatment in low stage renal tumors. It prevents unnecessary nephrectomy in benign lesions that could not be diagnosed preoperatively. However, the patients who underwent NSS with elective indication outcome with better results, compared to those with imperative indication.

Disease outcome in patients with low stage renal cell carcinoma treated with nephron sparing or radical surgery

Purpose: We investigated the outcome of nephron sparing surgery in patients with low grade and low stage (Robson stage II or less) renal cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 185 patients treated with nephron sparing surgery and 209 matched for patient age and sex, and tumor stage and grade who were treated with radical nephrectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed for progression and survival end points. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the tumor characteristics independently correlated with progression and cancer death. Results: No significant difference was observed with respect to progression-free, crude or cancer specific survival between the nephron sparing surgery and radical nephrectomy groups. Less than 5% of the patients treated with conservative nephron sparing surgery had local recurrence. Tumor size was a strong independent predictor of outcome, whereas Robson stage was not. Patients treated with radical nephrectomy had a significant cancer specific and progression-free survival advantage when controlling for tumor diameter and grade. However, no difference was observed in patients with primary tumor diameters of 4 cm. or less. Conclusions: Robson staging is inaccurate in predicting tumor behavior. Patients with tumors larger than 4 cm. and a normal contralateral kidney may be best served by radical nephrectomy rather than elective nephron sparing surgery. However, nephron sparing surgery may result in an outcome similar to that of radical nephrectomy for low grade, low stage renal cell carcinomas of 4 cm. or smaller.

THE ROLE OF RENAL SALVAGE PROCEDURES FOR BILATERAL WILMS TUMOR: A 15-YEAR REVIEW

We reviewed our experience with renal salvage procedures in patients with bilateral Wilms tumor to determine the clinical outcome. From 1982 to 1997, 23 children with bilateral Wilms tumor were treated with partial nephrectomy at our institution, including 7 who were also treated with brachytherapy. Medical history, use and response to chemotherapy and brachytherapy, operative records, renal function, pathological results, survival, and techniques for partial and repeat nephrectomy and brachytherapy were reviewed. We treated 8 boys and 15 girls, of whom 21 who presented with synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor underwent primary chemotherapy followed by secondary partial nephrectomy. A total of 44 partial nephrectomies were performed and brachytherapy was done in 7 patients. Ten children have normal renal function and no disease, 10 are dead and 2 have metastatic disease. Anaplasia was the most significant factor associated with an unfavorable outcome (p = 0.003). Of the patients who were cured 60% had a positive response to initial chemotherapy compared with only 25% who had an unfavorable outcome (p = 0.09). No significant differences were noted with respect to gender, age at presentation, highest local tumor stage at presentation or initial nephrectomy. No patient treated with brachytherapy had local recurrence. Preoperative chemotherapy followed by nephron sparing surgery is indicated in patients with bilateral Wilms tumor, while in those with diffuse anaplasia nephron sparing surgery is contraindicated. Brachytherapy should be considered for treating local disease involving chemoresistant tumors.

NEPHRON SPARING SURGERY FOR LOCALIZED RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: IMPACT OF TUMOR SIZE ON PATIENT SURVIVAL, TUMOR RECURRENCE AND TNM STAGING

We studied the impact of tumor size on patient survival and tumor recurrence following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma. In addition, we evaluated the usefulness of the new TNM staging system in which T1 versus T2 tumor status is delineated by tumor size 7 or less versus more than 7 cm., respectively. The results of nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma in 485 patients treated before 1997 were reviewed. Patients were divided into groups according to tumor size as 1--2.5 or less (142), 2--2.5 to 4.0 (168), 3--more than 4 to 7 (125) and 4--more than 7 cm (50). Mean postoperative followup was 47 months. Overall and cancer specific 5-year survival for the entire series was 81 and 92%, respectively. Of 44 patients with recurrent renal cell carcinoma 16 (3.2%) had local recurrence and 28 (5.8%) had metastatic disease. There was no difference in 5-year cancer specific survival or tumor recurrence between groups 1 and 2 or groups 3 and 4. However, these outcome measures were significantly more favorable in groups 1 and 2 combined (tumors 4 cm. or less) compared to groups 3 and 4 combined (tumors more than 4 cm.) (p = 0.001). Following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma cancer-free survival is significantly better in patients with tumors 4 cm. or less compared to those with larger tumors. The usefulness of the current TNM staging system can be improved by subdividing T1 tumors into T1a (4 cm. or less) and T1b (4 to 7 cm.).

Disease Outcome in Patients With Low Stage Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Nephron Sparing or Radical Surgery

Purpose We investigated the outcome of nephron sparing surgery in patients with low grade and low stage (Robson stage II or less) renal cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 185 patients treated with nephron sparing surgery and 209 matched for patient age and sex, and tumor stage and grade who were treated with radical nephrectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed for progression and survival end points. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the tumor characteristics independently correlated with progression and cancer death. Results No significant difference was observed with respect to progression-free, crude or cancer specific survival between the nephron sparing surgery and radical nephrectomy groups. Less than 5 percent of the patients treated with conservative nephron sparing surgery had local recurrence. Tumor size was a strong independent predictor of outcome, whereas Robson stage was not. Patients treated with radical nephrectomy had a significant cancer specific and progression-free survival advantages when controlling for tumor diameter and grade. However, no difference was observed in patients with primary tumor diameters of 4 cm. or less. Conclusions Robson staging is inaccurate in predicting tumor behavior. Patients with tumors larger than 4 cm. and a normal contralateral kidney may be best served by radical nephrectomy rather than elective nephron sparing surgery. However, nephron sparing surgery may result in an outcome similar to that of radical nephrectomy for low grade, low stage renal cell carcinomas of 4 cm. or smaller.

Long-Term Followup after Nephron Sparing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma in Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

We reviewed the long-term outcome of nephron sparing surgery in 9 patients with localized bilateral renal cell carcinoma and von Hippel-Lindau disease. One patient died of metastatic renal cell carcinoma 43 months postoperatively. One patient has not had recurrent tumor and was alive at 74 months postoperatively. The remaining 7 patients (mean followup 88 months) had local recurrence of tumor in the operated kidney and a secondary renal operation was done in 6 of them. Overall, 6 patients are free of tumor but only 3 of them retain functioning native renal parenchyma. We conclude that the results of nephron sparing surgery in patients with renal cell carcinoma and von Hippel-Lindau disease are less satisfactory than in patients with sporadic renal cell carcinoma.