"Zero ischemia" partial nephrectomy: novel laparoscopic and robotic technique

Abstract

Background: Ischemic injury impacts renal function outcomes following partial nephrectomy. Efforts to minimize, better yet, eliminate renal ischemia are imperative.

Objective: Describe a novel technique of "zero ischemia" laparoscopic (LPN) and robotic-assisted (RAPN) partial nephrectomy.

Design, setting, and participants: Data were prospectively collected into an institutional review board-approved database. Fifteen consecutive patients underwent zero ischemia procedures: LPN (n=12), RAPN (n=3). Included were all candidates for LPN or RAPN, irrespective of tumor complexity, including tumors that were central (n=9; 60%), hilar (n=1), in solitary kidney (n=1), in patients with chronic kidney disease grade 3 or greater (n=3). Anesthesia-related monitoring included pulmonary artery catheter (ie, Swan-Ganz), transesophageal echocardiography, cerebral oximetry, electroencephalographic bispectral index, mixed venous oxygen measurements, and vigorous hydration/diuresis. Pharmacologically induced hypotension was carefully timed to correspond with excision of the deepest aspect of the tumor. Renal parenchymal reconstruction was completed under normotension, ensuring complete hemostasis.

Measurements: Intraoperative and early postoperative data were collected prospectively.

Results and limitations: All cases were successfully completed without hilar clamping. Ischemia time was zero in all cases. Median tumor size was 2.5 cm (range: 1-4); operative time was 3 h (range: 1.3-6); blood loss was 150 ml (range: 20-400); and hospital stay was 3 d (range: 2-19). Nadir mean arterial pressure ranged from 52-65 mm Hg (median: 60), typically for 1-5 min. No patient had intraoperative transfusion or complication, acute or delayed renal hemorrhage, or hypotension-related sequelae. Postoperative complications (n=5) included urine retention (n=1), septicemia from presumed prostatitis (n=1), atrial fibrillation (n=1), urine leak (n=2). Pathology confirmed renal cell carcinoma in 13 patients (87%), all with negative margins. Median pre- and postoperative serum creatinine (0.9 mg/dl and 0.95 mg/dl, respectively) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (75.3 and 72.9, respectively) were comparable. Median absolute and percent change in discharge serum creatinine and eGFR were 0 and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions: A novel zero ischemia technique for RAPN and LPN for substantial renal tumors is presented. The initial experience is encouraging.