Retrospective Evaluation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Postoperative Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates Following Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) preoperatively with changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Methods: Patients undergoing RAPN at our institution from February 2008 through April 2019 were evaluated. ACEIs/ARBs were held on the morning of the surgery and resumed on postoperative day number one in all patients. Associations of ACEIs/ARBs use with postoperative eGFR were explored by using a linear mixed-effects regression model with random patient-specific intercepts. We included eGFR measurements at the following time points: preoperatively, postoperative day 1 (POD1), 1 month postoperative, 6 months postoperative, and 12 months postoperative. p-Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and seventy-one (44.0%) of 389 patients were on ACEIs/ARBs therapy preoperatively. The ACEIs/ARBs patients were older and had higher rates of comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus. The ACEIs/ARBs patients tended to have lower preoperative eGFR (mean ± standard deviation, 70.4 ± 17.5 vs 78.0 ± 19.2 mL/minute/1.73 m2; p < 0.001). However, this was not significant after adjustment for potentially confounding variables (mean difference, -1.7 mL/minute/1.73 m2; 95% confidence interval, -6.4 to 3.1 mL/minute/1.73 m2; p = 0.48). There was no evidence of an association of ACEIs/ARBs use with postoperative renal function after adjustment for potentially confounding variables (adjusted mean difference in change in eGFR from baseline was -1.1, -1.2, -0.3, and -1.2 mL/minute/1.73 m2 at POD1, 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively; all p ≥ 0.51). Conclusion: Continuation of ACEIs and ARBs throughout the perioperative period is not associated with change in post-RAPN eGFR.

Pre-operative factors that predict trifecta and pentafecta in robotic assisted partial nephrectomy.

To prospectively evaluate factors that predict achievement of trifecta and pentafecta following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Clinical variables of 330 RAPNs performed for a single renal tumor were analyzed for association with post-operative trifecta and pentafecta achievement. Trifecta was defined as warm ischemia time (WIT) ≤ 25 min, negative surgical margins, and no post-operative complications ≥ Clavien grade 3. Pentafecta was defined as trifecta criteria plus > 90% preservation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and no stage upgrade of chronic kidney disease from pre-operative up to 12 months post-RAPN. After adjustment for multiple testing, p < 0.007 was considered statistically significant. Among 330 patients, trifecta was achieved in 280 patients (84.8%). Among the 152 patients with eGFR available at 12 months following RAPN, pentafecta was achieved in 39 (25.8%). A lower R.E.N.A.L. score was associated with increased odds of achieving trifecta (OR 3.38, p < 0.001) and pentafecta (OR 2.83 p < 0.001). No other pre-operative characteristics were associated with trifecta or pentafecta. Patients who achieved trifecta had a lower median estimated blood loss (EBL) (300 vs 400, p = 0.029) and shorter operative time (223 vs 234 min, p = 0.004) compared to patients without trifecta. There were no significant differences in EBL or operative time in patients who achieved or failed to achieve pentafecta. R.E.N.A.L score is the only pre-operative variable associated with achieving trifecta and pentafecta following RAPN. Lower EBL and operative time are associated with trifecta but not pentafecta outcomes.

Contact surface area and its association with outcomes in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Renal tumor scoring systems, such as the contact surface area value, aim to assist in predicting outcomes following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy. The aim of this study is to identify associations between specific postoperative outcomes and the contact surface area of renal masses. METHODS: We analyzed 332 consecutive robotic-assisted partial nephrectomies and calculated contact surface area for renal tumors with the contact surface area formula (CSA = 2πrd), where π ≈ 3.14, r = greatest tumor radius (cm), and d = greatest tumor depth (cm). RESULTS: Higher contact surface area was associated with longer warm ischemia time (P < .001), higher estimated blood loss (P < .001), and longer length of hospital stay (LOS) (P < .001). Higher contact surface area was significantly associated with decreased renal function at 1 day, 1 month, and 6 months following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Contact surface area is associated with certain outcomes following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy and may be a useful predictive tool.

Prospective evaluation of the effect of adherent perinephric fat on outcomes of robotic assisted partial nephrectomy following elimination of the learning curve.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the association of adherent perinephric fat (APF) on perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) following elimination of the surgical learning curve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 305 consecutive RAPNs performed by a single experienced surgeon were analyzed. The fi rst 100 RAPNs were considered the learning curve and therefore excluded. APF was defined as the necessity of subcapsular renal dissection to mobilize the tumor from surrounding perinephric fat. Perioperative outcomes were evaluated including operative time, warm ischemia time (WIT), postoperative complications, length of stay, margins, ischemia, and complications score (MIC), estimated blood loss (EBL), and change in pre-operative to postoperative day 1 (POD 1) laboratory values. After correction for multiple comparisons, P values ≤0.0045 were considered statistically signifi cant but associations with P values ≤0.05 were also mentioned in the study results. RESULTS: Fifty-eight (28.3%) patients had APF. Patients with APF had longer operative times compared to those without APF (median, 213 vs. 192 minutes, P <0.001). There was some evidence of higher increase in change in creatinine from preoperative to POD 1 among those with APF compared to those without APF, although this was not statistically signifi cant (median, 0.2 vs. 0.1mg/dL, P=0.03). There were no other statistically significant associations between presence of APF and perioperative outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: APF is associated with increased operative time but no change in other perioperative outcomes. Surgeon experience does not affect perioperative outcomes associated with APF.

Prospective evaluation of the effect of adherent perinephric fat on outcomes of robotic assisted partial nephrectomy following elimination of the learning curve

ABSTRACT Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the association of adherent perinephric fat (APF) on perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) following elimination of the surgical learning curve. Materials and Methods: 305 consecutive RAPNs performed by a single experienced surgeon were analyzed. The first 100 RAPNs were considered the learning curve and therefore excluded. APF was defined as the necessity of subcapsular renal dissection to mobilize the tumor from surrounding perinephric fat. Perioperative outcomes were evaluated including operative time, warm ischemia time (WIT), postoperative complications, length of stay, margins, ischemia, and complications score (MIC), estimated blood loss (EBL), and change in pre-operative to postoperative day 1 (POD 1) laboratory values. After correction for multiple comparisons, P values ≤0.0045 were considered statistically significant but associations with P values ≤0.05 were also mentioned in the study results. Results: Fifty-eight (28.3%) patients had APF. Patients with APF had longer operative times compared to those without APF (median, 213 vs. 192 minutes, P <0.001). There was some evidence of higher increase in change in creatinine from preoperative to POD 1 among those with APF compared to those without APF, although this was not statistically significant (median, 0.2 vs. 0.1mg/dL, P=0.03). There were no other statistically significant associations between presence of APF and perioperative outcomes. Conclusions: APF is associated with increased operative time but no change in other perioperative outcomes. Surgeon experience does not affect perioperative outcomes associated with APF.

Factors associated with prolonged length of stay following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To prospectively analyze the association of clinical and operative variables on patient length of hospital stay (LOS) following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and develop an accurate clinical-based scoring system to predict prolonged LOS following RAPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 304 consecutive RAPNs performed by a single surgeon. Prolonged LOS was defined as greater than 3 days of hospitalization postoperatively. Preoperative clinical factors and operative variables were analyzed for association with LOS. After adjusting for multiple testing, p ≤ 0.004 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: LOS was 1 day in 17 (5.6%) patients, 2 days in 136 (44.7%) patients, 3 days in 89 (29.3%) patients, and more than 3 days in 62 (20.4%) patients. Lower preoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.004), total operative time (p < 0.001), estimated blood loss (EBL) (p < 0.001), intraoperative complications or conversion (p < 0.001), and renal mass size (p < 0.001) were associated with prolonged LOS. EBL and total operative time were most predictive of prolonged LOS and were used to create the BLOT (blood loss and operative time) predictive scoring system. Blot scores ranged from 0 to 5, to predict prolonged LOS. We observed prolonged LOS in 4.3%, 9.6%, 25.6%, 47.1%, 50.0%, and 100% of patients with scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Operative time and estimated blood loss are most predictive of prolonged LOS following RAPN. Using these variables, the BLOT score accurately predicts prolonged LOS following RAPN.

Elimination of surgical drains following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy.

To prospectively evaluate outcomes of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) following elimination of surgical drains. 100 consecutive drainless RAPN performed by a single surgeon were analyzed following a previously published quantitative assessment of drain creatinine/serum creatinine ratios. This cohort was compared to 100 preceding RAPN with drains. Variables analyzed included pre-operative patient/tumor characteristics and post-operative outcomes including post-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), length of hospital stay (LOS), and complications. There was no significant difference in median patient age, sex, body mass index, ASA score, or pre-operative eGFR between the two groups. The preceding 100 patients with drains did have larger median renal size (3.5 vs 2.6 cm, p < 0.001), higher median RENAL scores (9 vs 8, p < 0.001), and longer warm ischemia time (21 vs 18 min, p = 0.004). Patients without drains had shorter median LOS (2.0 days vs 3.0 days, p < 0.001), fewer Grade III or higher post-operative complications (4% vs 10%, p = 0.007), and no difference in 1 month percent change in eGFR (- 13% vs - 11%, p = 0.84). After adjusting for confounding variables there was no difference in LOS (OR 1.50, p = 0.31), Grade III-V complications (OR 1.49, p = 0.63), or 1 month percent change in eGFR (OR 2.3, p = 0.41) between the two groups. One patient in the drainless group required a post-operative drain for a urine leak diagnosed 10 days following RAPN. Omission of drains is safe in RAPN and does not appear to offer a clinical advantage.

Native Nephrectomy with Renal Transplantation is Associated with a Decrease in Hypertension Medication Requirements for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

PURPOSE: We assessed hypertensive control after native nephrectomy and renal transplantation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood pressure control was studied retrospectively in 118 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who underwent renal transplantation between 2003 and 2013. Overall 54 patients underwent transplantation alone (group 1) and 64 underwent transplantation with concurrent ipsilateral nephrectomy (group 2). Of these 64 patients 32 underwent ipsilateral nephrectomy only (group 2a) and 32 underwent eventual delayed contralateral native nephrectomy (group 2b). The number of antihypertensive drugs and defined daily dose of each antihypertensive was recorded at transplantation and up to 36-month followup. RESULTS: Comparing preoperative to postoperative medications at 12, 24 and 36-month followup, transplantation with concurrent ipsilateral nephrectomy had a greater decrease in quantity (-1.2 vs -0.5 medications, p=0.008; -1.1 vs -0.3, p=0.007 and -1.2 vs -0.4, p=0.03, respectively) and defined daily dose of antihypertensive drug (-3.3 vs -1.0, p=0.0008; -2.9 vs -1.0, p=0.006 and -2.7 vs -0.6, p=0.007, respectively) than transplantation alone at each point. Native nephrectomy continued to be a predictor of hypertensive requirements on multivariable analysis (p <0.0001). The mean decrease in number of medications in group 2b from after ipsilateral nephrectomy to 12 months after contralateral nephrectomy was -0.6 (p=0.0005) and the mean decrease in defined daily dose was -0.6 (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease undergoing renal transplantation, concurrent ipsilateral native nephrectomy is associated with a significant decrease in the quantity and defined daily dose of antihypertensive drugs needed for hypertension control. Delayed contralateral native nephrectomy is associated with improved control of blood pressure to an even greater degree.

Management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and anatomy of renal innervation.

PURPOSE: Chronic pain is a prominent feature of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease that is difficult to treat and manage, often resulting in a decrease in quality of life. Understanding the underlying anatomy of renal innervation and the various etiologies of pain that occur in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease can help guide proper treatments to manage pain. Reviewing previously studied treatments for pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease can help characterize treatment in a stepwise fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search of the etiology and management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and the anatomy of renal innervation using PubMed® and Embase® from January 1985 to April 2014 with limitations to human studies and English language. RESULTS: Pain occurs in the majority of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease due to renal, hepatic and mechanical origins. Patients may experience different types of pain which can make it difficult to clinically confirm its etiology. An anatomical and histological evaluation of the complex renal innervation helps in understanding the mechanisms that can lead to renal pain. Understanding the complex nature of renal innervation is essential for surgeons to perform renal denervation. The management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease should be approached in a stepwise fashion. Acute causes of renal pain must first be ruled out due to the high incidence in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. For chronic pain, nonopioid analgesics and conservative interventions can be used first, before opioid analgesics are considered. If pain continues there are surgical interventions such as renal cyst decortication, renal denervation and nephrectomy that can target pain produced by renal or hepatic cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is often refractory to conservative, medical and other noninvasive treatments. There are effective surgical procedures that can be performed when more conservative treatments fail. Laparoscopic cyst decortication has been well studied and results in the relief of chronic renal pain in the majority of patients. In addition, renal denervation has been used successfully and could be performed concurrently with cyst decortication. Nephrectomy should be reserved for patients with intractable pain and renal failure when other modalities have failed.