Totally retroperitoneal approach for robot-assisted nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff without repositioning.

INTRODUCTION: Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is typically performed via the transperitoneal approach because of limited surgical space. However, a retroperitoneal approach may be preferable in patients with a history of abdominal surgery or in those in whom pelvic lymph node dissection is unnecessary. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUES: RANU via the retroperitoneal approach was selected for two patients diagnosed with high-grade upper urothelial carcinoma with a history of abdominal surgery. Nephrectomy was performed in the 90° flank position, and the bed was tilted at 20°. The retroperitoneal space was extended, and the robot trocar was subsequently repositioned in the left lower quadrant. After redocking the robot, the distal ureter was dissected, and the bladder cuff was resected en bloc along with the kidney and the ureter. Neither patient had any complications within 3 months postoperatively. DISCUSSION: By devising a new technique for trocar placement, total retroperitoneal RANU without repositioning was possible, even in a small patient.

[A Case of Retroperitoneal Lymphangioleiomyomatosis].

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a multilocular cystic mass extending from the level of the renal artery origin to the internal and external iliac artery regions in a woman in her 40s who presented with vomiting and diarrhea. A percutaneous biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed bundle-like proliferations of spindle-shaped cells with oval nuclei in acidophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for HMB-45, alpha-smooth muscle actin, E-cadherin, and estrogen and progesterone receptors; the provisional diagnosis was perivascular epithelioid cell tumor. Considering the patient's age and sex, the final diagnosis was primary retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). She did not meet the diagnostic criteria for tuberous sclerosis complex and was considered to have sporadic LAM. As complete surgical resection was considered to be impossible and no lung lesions, which indicate poor prognosis, were observed, we decided to keep her under surveillance. The patient was asymptomatic, with no significant changes on imaging for 6 months.