Technique and outcomes of robot-assisted retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy: A multicenter study - Abstract

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (RARPN) may be used for posterior renal masses or with prior abdominal surgery; however, there is relatively less familiarity with RARPN.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate RARPN technique and outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective multicenter study of 227 consecutive RARPNs was performed at the Swedish Medical Center, the University of Michigan, and the University of California, Los Angeles, from 2006 to 2013.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE: RARPN.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We assessed positive margins and cancer recurrence. Stepwise regression was used to examine factors associated with complications, estimated blood loss (EBL), warm ischemia time (WIT), operative time (OT), and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median age was 60 yr (interquartile range [IQR]: 52-66), and the median body mass index (BMI) was 28.2kg/m2 (IQR: 25.6-32.6). Median maximum tumor diameter was 2.3cm (IQR: 1.7-3.1). Median OT and WIT were 165min (IQR: 134-200) and 19min (IQR: 16-24), respectively; median EBL was 75ml (IQR: 50-150), and median LOS was 2 d (IQR: 1-3). Twenty-eight subjects (12.3%) experienced complications, three (1.3%) had urine leaks, and three (1.3%) had pseudoaneurysms that required reintervention. There was one conversion to radical nephrectomy and three transfusions. Overall, 143 clear cell carcinomas (62.6%) composed most of the histology with eight positive margins (3.5%) and two recurrences (0.9%) with a median follow-up of 2.7 yr. In adjusted analyses, intersurgeon variation was associated with complications (odds ratio [OR]: 3.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-10.27; p=0.014) and WIT (parameter estimate [PE; plus or minus standard error]: 4.84±2.14; p=0.025). Higher surgeon volume was associated with shorter WIT (PE: -0.06±0.02; p=0.002). Higher BMI was associated with longer OT (PE: 2.09±0.56; p< 0.001). Longer OT was associated with longer LOS (PE: 0.01±0.01; p=0.002). Finally, there was a trend for intersurgeon variation in OT (PE: 18.5±10.3; p=0.075).

CONCLUSIONS: RARPN has acceptable morbidity and oncologic outcomes, despite intersurgeon variation in WIT and complications. Greater experience is associated with shorter WIT.

PATIENT SUMMARY: Robot-assisted retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy has acceptable morbidity and oncologic outcomes, and there is intersurgeon variation in warm ischemia time and complications.

Written by:
Hu JC, Treat E, Filson CP, McLaren I, Xiong S, Stepanian S, Hafez KS, Weizer AZ, Porter J.   Are you the author?
Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.  

Reference: Eur Urol. 2014 May 21. pii: S0302-2838(14)00409-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.04.028


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24857539

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