Laparoscopic hidden incision endoscopic surgery (hides) nephrectomy VS. Traditional laparoscopic nephrectomy: Non-inferior surgical outcomes and better cosmetic results.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of laparoscopic total nephrectomy in pediatric patients are well established. Traditional Ports placement (TPP) still follows Clayman's classic description: except for the umbilical scar, the other laparoscopic scars are exposed in the abdomen. Advances in robotic surgery permitted the development of HidES (hidden incision endoscopic surgery) technique, to obtain a better final cosmetic aspect with the scars located intraumbilically and in the hypogastric region, in an area easily hidden by underwear. As robotic surgery is related to higher costs and lacks availability, a pure laparoscopic HidES technique was developed. OBJECTIVES: 1.Evaluate safety and efficacy of pure laparoscopic HidES.2. Compare HidES with TPP nephrectomy series to assess non-inferiority and cosmetic outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one pediatric patients with symptomatic poor functioning kidneys (DMSA<10%) underwent HidES nephrectomy. Their intra and post-operative outcomes were recorded prospectively. HidES group was compared to an equivalent group of thirty-two patients who underwent TPP nephrectomy. RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery in the TPP or HidES groups. There was a significant difference in operative time between HidES (53.4min) and TPP (109.4 min), with p = 0.004 and the mean bleeding volume was 65.5 ml. There was no significant difference in bleeding between HidES (71 ml) and TPP (120 ml) (p = 0.06), no intraoperative complications and no complications above Clavien-Dindo II during the 6-week follow-up. Satisfaction reached 100% in HidES group, whereas in TPP satisfaction was 63% (p = 0.004). DISCUSSION: HidES benefit over TPP is to conceal visible scars above underwear, improving cosmetical outcome. A prospective HidES group was compared to a retrospective TPP database due to decreasing number of nephrectomies being performed, which is a limitation of our study. HidES surgeries were performed by pediatric urologists (associate staff) while TPP group surgeries were performed by PGY-5 urological residents assisted by the associate staff, which is a clear limitation and can explain shorter operative times for HidES. During HidES surgeries an improved visualization of the operative field by the inferior trocar positioning was noted, which helps the posterior dissection of renal pedicle. Previous published study comparing robotic TPP and HidES pyeloplasty showed equal results for both groups with cosmetic advantages. Objective satisfaction was assessed with statistically advantage in favor of HidES procedure, consonant with other evidence that supports the benefit of scar location in patient and parental satisfaction. CONCLUSION: HidES nephrectomy proved to be safe, feasible and not inferior to the traditional nephrectomy in experienced hands, with better cosmesis.