Yinong Niu

Intraoperative ultrasonography: a useful tool in retrolaparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the value of intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography (ILUS) in retrolaparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery. Methods: A total of 81 cases were studied during a 5-year period: 38 patients with a benign renal tumor who underwent enucleation of the tumor and 43 patients with a suspected malignant renal tumor who underwent wedge resection of the tumor. ILUS was used to evaluate renal perfusion, locate the tumor, precisely delineate the tumor border, characterize the tumor, and look for any suspected satellite renal masses. Results: All procedures were successful without conversion to open surgery. The mean operating time was 106 min for enucleation (range 70– 150 min) and 114 min for wedge resection (range 80– 235 min). The mean size of benign tumors was 4.02 cm and that of malignant tumors was 3.13 cm, and all margins were negative. An additional renal artery branch was detected in 11 patients. In 2 cases the operative procedure was changed based on the ILUS findings. No satellite lesion was found in any of the patients with malignant tumors. Conclusions: ILUS provides significant benefit in retrolaparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery. In a number of situations, especially endogenic lesions, it is an essential surgical tool.

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Tuberculous Nonfunctioning Kidneys: a single-center experience

Purpose To present our surgical techniques and experiences of retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of tuberculous nonfunctioning kidneys. Materials and Methods From March 2005 to March 2013, a total of 51 patients with tuberculous nonfunctioning kidney underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy at our medical center. The techniques included early control of renal vessels and dissection of the diseased kidney along the underlying layer outside the Gerato’s fascia. The distal ureter was dissected through a Gibson incision and the entire specimen was removed en bloc from the incision. Patient demographics, perioperative characteristics and laboratory parameters as well as postoperative outcome were retrospectively reviewed. Results Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was successfully performed in 50 patients, whereas one case required conversion to open surgery due to non-progression of dissection. The mean operating time was 123.0 minutes (107-160 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 134 mL (80-650 mL).The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 days (3-5days) and the mean return to normal activity was 11.6 days (10-14days). Most intra-operative and post-operative complications were minor complications and can be managed conservatively. After 68 months (12-96 months) follow-up, the outcome was satisfactory, and ureteral stump syndrome did not occur. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy as a minimally invasive treatment option is feasible for treatment of tuberculous nonfunctioning kidneys.

Feasibility of Pure Conventional Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy With Level II Vena Caval Tumor Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE To report our surgical outcomes and experiences with pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for patients with right renal tumors and level II inferior vena caval tumor thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS From February 2012 to June 2014, five patients underwent pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy. After the inferior vena cava was blocked using tourniquet loops above and below the thrombus with the contralateral renal vein being clamped, the inferior vena cava was opened, and the tumor thrombus was fully extracted. RESULTS The mean patient age was 57 years (43-71 years) and the mean body mass index was 22.44 kg/m(2) (20-25 kg/m(2)). The mean operative time was 241 minutes (180-300 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 290 ml (50-1000 mL). The mean tumor size was 6.9 cm (3.5-9 cm) and the mean tumor thrombus length was 5.5 cm (4-10 cm). One patient needed an intraoperative transfusion, and the patient encountered bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombus. With a mean follow-up of 11.5 months (5-30 months), one patient was identified with lung metastasis 4 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION Although pure conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for level II tumor thrombus are challenging, they are feasible in carefully selected patients. More studies are needed to confirm their superiority and oncologic outcomes.

Self-retaining barbed suture reduces warm ischemia time during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-retaining barbed suture in renorrhaphy during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy by comparing surgical outcomes in a prospective randomized manner. Material and methods: From July 2014 to July 2015, a total of 60 patients with T1 renal tumor were randomized into two equal groups: self-retaining barbed suture (SRBS) and conventional absorbable polyglactin suture (non-SRBS group). All patients were treated by retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. One surgeon with high volume experience performed all procedures. The patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared. Results: The patient demographics and tumor characteristics were comparable. The mean tumor size and R.E.N.A.L. scores were comparable between the two groups. LPN was successfully accomplished in all patients without open conversion. The warm ischemia and renorrhaphy times were significantly shorter in the SRBS group (18.8 ± 8.2 vs. 22.9 ± 7.3 min, P = .04; 10.4 ± 3.7 vs. 13.8 ± 5.6 min, P = .01). The minor complication rate was 13.3% vs. 10.0%, which was comparable. No major complication occurred. Conclusions: The randomized controlled trial demonstrates that SRBS for renorrhaphy during retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is safe and efficient. Application of barbed suture simplifies the parenchymal repair procedure and reduces warm ischemia time in comparison with conventional suture.

AB169. Feasibility of pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with level II vena caval tumor thrombectomy

Objective To report our surgical outcomes and experiences with pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for patients with right renal tumors and level II inferior vena caval tumor thrombus. Methods From February 2012 to June 2014, five patients underwent pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy. After the inferior vena cava was blocked using tourniquet loops above and below the thrombus with the contralateral renal vein being clamped, the inferior vena cava was opened, and the tumor thrombus was fully extracted. Results The mean patient age was 57 years (range, 43–71 years) and the mean body mass index was 22.44 kg/m2 (range, 20–25 kg/m2). The mean operative time was 241 minutes (range, 180–300 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 290 mL (range, 50–1,000 mL). The mean tumor size was 6.9 cm (range, 3.5–9 cm) and the mean tumor thrombus length was 5.5 cm (range, 4–10 cm). One patient needed an intraoperative transfusion, and the patient encountered bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombus. With a mean follow-up of 11.5 months ((range, 5–30 months), one patient was identified with lung metastasis 4 months postoperatively. Conclusions Although pure conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for level II tumor thrombus are challenging, they are feasible in carefully chosen patients. More studies are needed to confirm their superiority and oncologic outcomes.

Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy for large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been reported in the literature and may be a viable alternative to open surgery for large prostate glands. While previous publications have shown comparable outcomes between laparoscopic and open simple prostatectomy, there have been few publications describing improved laparoscopic operative technique to further improve these outcomes. The authors describe a novel technique of prostatic urethra preservation during laparoscopic simple prostatectomy. Materials and methods From January 2006 to September 2009, laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation was performed in 51 patients with symptomatic BPH. This technique included extraperitoneal insufflation of the retropubic space by balloon dilation, placement of five trocars in an inverted U shape, transverse prostatic capsular incision, development of a subcapsular plane, and removal of prostatic adenoma with preservation of the prostatic urethra followed by suturing of the prostatic capsule. Demographic, perioperative and outcome data were recorded. Results The mean operative time was 126±51.98 min and the estimated blood loss was 232.55±199.54 mL. Significant improvements were noted in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) questionnaires and maximum flow rate (Qmax) of patients three months after surgery. No incontinence was reported in any patient. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 5-Item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score pre- and post- operatively in patients who had erectile function before surgery and no patient complained of retrograde ejaculation during the postoperative follow-up period. Conclusions Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation for benign prostatic hyperplasia is feasible and reproducible. With this technique, postoperative morbidity can be reduced and antegrade ejaculation preserved.