Radiofrequency-assisted, Laparoscopic, Clampless Partial Nephrectomy in Patients with Low-complexity Small Renal Tumors: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Urol Ann

Specialty Urology

Date 2023 Sep 4

PMID 37664097

Authors

Ioannis Zachos

Panagiotis Vlachostergios

Lampros Mitrakas

Anastasios Karatzas

Athanasios Oeconomou

Charalampos Mamoulakis

Vasileios Tzortzis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: This single-center, retrospective study was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency-assisted (RF), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (PN) with zero ischemia in patients with low-complexity small renal tumors.

Materials And Methods: Patients with small renal masses (SRMs) who underwent laparoscopic, clampless laparoscopic partial nephrectomy - radiofrequency assisted (LPN-RFA) between January 2016 and June 2020 were studied. Demographics, clinical and pathological characteristics, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival were recorded.

Results: Fifty-two SRMs were excised from corresponding patients using RFA-LPN. The median tumor size was 2.5 cm and all specimens involved low-complexity masses according to the renal nephrometry score. No conversions to radical nephrectomy were recorded. Postoperatively, there were one patient with fever, one with hematuria, and two with urinary leakage treated endoscopically. The majority of tumors (48/52, 86.2%) were clear-cell carcinomas. According to the glomerular filtration rate postoperatively and 12 months' posttreatment, adequate renal function was preserved in all patients. There were no positive surgical margins identified postoperatively and no recurrences during a median follow-up 24 months. All patients were alive at the last follow-up.

Conclusions: This study suggests that RFA laparoscopic clampless PN represents an effective method for managing patients with low-complexity SRMs. It offers adequate intraoperative safety and excellent mid-term oncological control and functional preservation.

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