A novel mathematical model to predict the severity of postoperative functional reduction before partial nephrectomy: the importance of calculating resected and ischemic volume.

PURPOSE: Preoperatively predicting postoperative kidney function is an essential step to achieve improved renal function and prevent chronic kidney disease. We introduce a novel formula especially to calculate resected and ischemic volume before partial nephrectomy. We examined whether resected and ischemic volume would have value for predicting postoperative renal function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 210 patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy between September 2006 and October 2013 at a tertiary cancer care center. Based on abdominopelvic computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging we calculated resected and ischemic volume by the novel mathematical formula using integral calculus. We comparatively analyzed resected and ischemic volume, and current nephrometry systems to determine the degree of association and predictability regarding the severity of the postoperative functional reduction. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis resected and ischemic volume showed a superior association with the absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (B = 6.5, p = 0.005/B = 6.35, p = 0.009). The ROC AUC revealed accurate predictability of resected and ischemic volume on the stratified event of an absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/event of percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to 3 representative nephrometry systems. The calibration plot of this model was excellent (close to the 45-degree line) within the whole range of predicted probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: We report a method of preoperatively calculating resected and ischemic volume with a novel formula. This method has superior correlation with the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to current nephrometry systems. The predictive model achieved a strong correlation for the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Clinical values of selective-clamp technique in robotic partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: In the era of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), several efforts on improved renal functional outcome have been reported. Selective-clamp is a novel technique that eliminates global ischemia, the clinical value of which needs to be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative functional outcomes of patients who underwent selective-clamp and total-clamping RPN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2009 to October 2012, a database of 126 consecutive patients who underwent RPN was retrospectively analyzed, 117 patients met our inclusion criteria and were stratified into two groups, 20 patients underwent selective-clamp RPN, and 97 patients underwent total-clamping RPN. Post hoc power analysis was subsequently performed for calculation of sufficient sample size. Demographics/tumor characteristics, functional outcomes and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: All selective-clamp RPN cases were successfully performed. Mean tumor size was 3.4 cm [standard deviation (SD): ±1.4], mean RENAL nephrometry score was 7.3 (SD: ±2.0), and no Clavien-Dindo III-V complications were recorded. Selective-clamp RPN group had a significantly lower percentage decrease in the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 week (1.8 vs. 20.8 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.001) and 3 months (0 vs. 9.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.032) when compared with the total-clamping RPN group. There were no significant differences in surgical margin and complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Selective-clamp confers improved renal functional outcomes in comparison to total-clamping RPN, with acceptable complications and oncological outcomes even in large and complex tumors.

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) reduces postoperative wound pain without a rise in complication rates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term functional outcomes and pain scale scores of patients who underwent laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS)- robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) to those who underwent conventional RAPN (C-RAPN), as LESS surgery is increasingly being adopted by urologists worldwide to reduce morbidities and scarring associated with surgical interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 167 consecutive patients who had RAPN were identified from our Institutional Review Board-approved computerised database between October 2006 to July 2012. Patients were stratified into two groups: 80 patients who underwent C-RAPN and 79 who underwent LESS-RAPN. RESULTS: The LESS-RAPN group had a longer warm ischaemia time [WIT, mean (sd) 26.5 (10.5) vs 19.8 (13.1) min; P = 0.001] and total operation time [TOT, mean (sd) 210.3 (83.4) vs 183.1 (76.1) min; P = 0.033] when compared with the C-RAPN group. While, the LESS-RAPN group and C-RAPN group were not significantly different for the number of patients with negative surgical margins [77 (96.2%) vs 73 (91.4%); P = 0.194), absolute change in postoperative renal function [mean (sd) -6.5 (16.7)% vs -7.6 (16.7)%; P = 0.738) and postoperative complications rate [12 (15.0%) vs 10 (12.6%); P = 0.279). Furthermore, the LESS-RAPN group had lower visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) scores at discharge [mean (sd) 2.1 (1.3) vs 1.7 (1.0); P = 0.048]. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a significantly longer WIT and TOT, the functional outcomes of LESS-RAPN were comparable to those of C-RAPN for tumours of similar mean sizes and complexities, without any detriments in oncological and complications outcomes. On discharge, patients who underwent LESS-RAPN also reported lower pain levels as one of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. With the development of instrumentation specifically designed for single-site surgery, LESS could be more easily conducted in patients who are interested in improved quality of life outcomes.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of ethyl acetate fraction of cynanchi paniculati radix.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects and sedative activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of Cynanchum paniculatum (EACP) were evaluated in mice and rats by acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, formalin-induced licking time, acetic acid-induced writhing response, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. EACP at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly exhibited anti-inflammatory activities on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, arachidonic acid-induced paw edema, and the late phase of formalin-induced licking time. Moreover, it showed anti-nociceptive effects on acetic acid-induced writhing responses and significant sedative effects on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. The results demonstrated that the anti-nociceptive effects are apparently related to the sedative effects of EACP. These results support the use of Cynanchum paniculatum in relieving inflammatory pain.