[Radiofrequency ablation-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without renal hilar vessel clamping: a report of 14 cases].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility of radiofrequency ablation-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RF-LCPN) without renal hilar vessel clamping. METHODS: From January 2009 to June 2010, 14 cases with renal tumors were treated with RF-LCPN. The mean tumor size was 3.1 cm (range 2.2 - 4.0 cm). All cases were staged at T(1a)N(0)M(0). The preoperative serum creatinine (SCr) was (87 ± 36) µmol/L and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (45 ± 11) ml/min. RESULTS: RF-LCPN was technically successful in all patients (14 tumors). The mean operative time was (152 ± 46) min and the mean blood loss (89 ± 52) ml. All tumor margins were negative. One patient with a brief period of urine leakage from lower pole calix was managed successfully by ureteral stenting and Foley catheter drainage of bladder. The postoperative hospital stay was (5 ± 2) days. The postoperative SCr was (90 ± 38) µmol/L and GFR (41 ± 12) ml/min. There was no statistic post-operative change of SCr and GFR (P > 0.05). All patients completed a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 17 months, range 6 - 25 months). No evidence of local or port-site recurrence or metastasis was found. CONCLUSION: As an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications, RF-LCPN may eliminate renal warm ischemia. But its long-term efficacy remains to be further studied.