Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy For Cancer With Level I Renal Vein Involvement

Abstract

No AccessJournal of UrologyCLINICAL UROLOGY: Original Articles1 Feb 2003Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy For Cancer With Level I Renal Vein Involvement MIHIR M. DESAI, INDERBIR S. GILL, ANUP P. RAMANI, SURENA F. MATIN, JIHAD H. KAOUK, and JOSE MIGUEL CAMPERO MIHIR M. DESAIMIHIR M. DESAI More articles by this author , INDERBIR S. GILLINDERBIR S. GILL Requests for reprints: Section of Laparoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Urological Institute, A100, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44195. Financial interest and/or other relationship with Endocare. More articles by this author , ANUP P. RAMANIANUP P. RAMANI More articles by this author , SURENA F. MATINSURENA F. MATIN More articles by this author , JIHAD H. KAOUKJIHAD H. KAOUK More articles by this author , and JOSE MIGUEL CAMPEROJOSE MIGUEL CAMPERO More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(05)63940-7AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Venous involvement develops in 5% to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma and is generally considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. To our knowledge we report the initial clinical series of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma associated with level I renal vein thrombus. Materials and Methods: At our 2 institutions 8 patients each underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for level I microscopic renal vein thrombus (group 1) and level I gross thrombus (group 2). In all 8 group 2 patients the level I thrombus was preoperatively diagnosed by computerized tomography. Mean renal tumor size in groups 1 and 2 was 7.8 and 12.4 cm., respectively. After controlling the renal artery the renal vein was secured by firing an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler on its collapsed, uninvolved proximal part adjacent to the vena cava. Intraoperative, postoperative and pathological parameters were assessed in the 2 groups. Results: In group 1 laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was technically successful in all 8 patients. Mean operative time was 3.1 hours, mean estimated blood loss was 382 cc and mean hospital stay was 1.9 days. In 1 patient each a soft tissue and a vascular margin was positive for cancer. At a mean follow up of 19.5 months (range 2 to 36) metastatic disease occurred in 3 cases (38%). In group 2 laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was technically successful in 7 cases with open conversion in 1. Mean operative time was 3.3 hours, mean estimated blood loss was 354 cc and mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. Surgical soft tissue and the renal vein vascular margin of the transected vein were negative for cancer in all 8 cases. At a mean followup of 9.4 months (range 5 to 16) pulmonary metastasis developed in 1 patient (13%). Conclusions: Although it is an advanced procedure, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in patients with level I renal vein thrombus is feasible, safe and follows established oncological principles. References 1 : Long-term followup after surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium. J Urol1996; 155: 448. Link, Google Scholar 2 : Renal vein and vena cava involvement does not affect prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Oncology2001; 61: 10. Google Scholar 3 : Laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell cancer: evaluation of efficacy and safety: a multicenter experience. Urology1998; 52: 773. Google Scholar 4 : Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in 100 patients: a single center experience from the United States. Cancer2001; 92: 1843. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar 5 : Retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: the Cleveland Clinic experience. J Urol2000; 163: 1665. Link, Google Scholar 6 : Retroperitoneal laparoscopy versus open radical nephrectomy. J Urol1999; 161: 1776. Abstract, Google Scholar 7 : Intentional resection of the diaphragm d