Prolonged pneumoperitoneum time is an independent risk factor for intravesical recurrence after laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pneumoperitoneum time on intravesical recurrence (IVR) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients who underwent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LRNU).

Patients and methods: We identified 129 UTUC patients who underwent LRNU at our three institutions from 2004 to 2014. We evaluated the association of IVR rate and patient clinico-pathological characteristics including operation time. By retrospectively reviewing all videotapes, we defined pneumoperitoneum time as being from the infusion of pressurized CO2 gas with a pressure of 10-12 mmHg to extirpation of the kidney.

Results: During the median follow-up of 31.1 months, 61 (47.3%) had subsequent IVR after LRNU. Multivariate analysis revealed that prolonged pneumoperitoneum time (HR = 1.81, p = 0.025) and presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR = 1.53, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for subsequent IVR. The 3-year and 5-year IVR free survival rates were 43.7% and 21.8% in patients with a prolonged pneumoperitoneum time of ≥150 min, which were significantly lower than those in their counterparts (59.0% and 48.3%, respectively, p = 0.024). The subsequent IVR rates were 27.3% for a pneumoperitoneum time of <90 min, 35.8% for that of 90-150 min, 55.0% for that of 150-210 min, 61.1% for that of 210-270 min, and 85.7% for that of >270 min.

Conclusions: Prolongation of pneumoperitoneum time and presence of LVI might be associated with higher risk of subsequent IVR in UTUC patients who underwent LRNU.

Keywords: Intravesical recurrence; Lymphovascular invasion; Pneumoperitoneum time; Upper tract urothelial carcinoma.