Assessment of volume preservation performed before or after partial nephrectomy accurately predicts postoperative renal function: Results from a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy (PN) is standard for small renal masses, improving renal function by preserving renal parenchyma compared with radical nephrectomy. Recent work demonstrated that postoperative surgeon assessment of volume preservation (SAVP) and 3D imaging measurements agree and correlate with postoperative function. We hypothesize preoperative assessment of volume preservation (PAVP) with PN based on preoperative imaging will reliably indicate postoperative renal function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 336 patients undergoing PN for suspected renal cancer by 40 surgeons at 12 centers in Europe and the United States within the Surface-Intermediate-Base International Consortium. Surgeons recorded PAVP and SAVP for individual patients; pre- and postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations. Correlations between PAVP, SAVP, and postoperative GFR were assessed with linear regression models. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess agreement between PAVP and SAVP with a significant cutoff of 5%. RESULTS: Median PAVP was 90% (interquartile range [IQR] 85%-100%) and SAVP was 90% (IQR: 80%-94%). PAVP and SAVP were moderately correlated (R2 = 0.67, P < 0.0001) and deemed "interchangeable" by Bland-Altman analysis at a 5% acceptable rate of difference (95% CI: -5.4, -3.1). Median postoperative GFR was 77.3 (IQR: 56.2, 92.0). Both PAVP (R2 = 0.82, P < 0.0001) and SAVP (R2 = 0.83, P < 0.0001) were correlated with postoperative GFR. Multivariable models utilizing volume-adjusted GFR based on PAVP or SAVP significantly and similarly predicted postoperative GFR (R2 = 0.72 for each). CONCLUSION: Renal function is closely linked to the amount of parenchymal volume preservation, whether estimated prior to surgery (PAVP) or afterward (SAVP). PAVP provides reasonably accurate information for decision-making in patients considering PN.

Intraoperative assessment of ureteral and graft reperfusion during robotic kidney transplantation with indocyanine green fluorescence videography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to report the first preliminary experience with intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence videography (IFV) to assess graft and ureteral reperfusion during robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT). METHODS: We prospectively collected data from consecutive patients undergoing RAKT and IFV from living-donors at our Institution between January 2017 and April 2018. RAKT was performed following the principles of the Vattikuti-Medanta technique. ICG was injected intravenously after vascular anastomoses to quantitate graft and ureteral fluorescence signal. The signal intensity within selected intraoperative snapshots was evaluated for renal parenchyma, ureter and vascular anastomoses. A systematic review of the English-language literature about the topic was performed according to the PRISMA statement recommendations. RESULTS: Six patients were included. Neither conversions to open surgery nor major intra- or postoperative complications were recorded. At a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR 8-13), median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 64.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 45.3-98.4). Intraoperative quantitative assessment of ICG fluorescence was successful in all patients. Of the five studies selected by our review, mostly prospective studies, all including open KT series. Yet, most studies were limited by lack of quantitative measures of IFV fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: IFV during RAKT is feasible and safe and provides a reliable assessment of graft reperfusion. Larger studies are needed to standardize the technique and to evaluate the association between fluorescence signal, ultrasound parameters and postoperative kidney function.