[Experience of nephron sparing surgery for renal mass].

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we reported nephron sparing surgery for renal mass in our hospital. METHODS: From March, 1994 to October, 1997, nephron sparing surgeries were done for 19 (11 males and 8 females, whose age were ranged from 38 to 75 years old) renal mass in our hospital. The sites of lesion were 12 in right side and 7 in left side. The tumor size were from 8 to 40/mm. Almost all cases were discovered incidentally. RESULTS: In all 19 cases, 6 cases were resultingly renal cell carcinoma (RCC). There was no difference in age, sex, tumor size and computed tomography findings between RCC and benign lesion. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, iso intensity lesions of T2-weighted image were more frequent in RCC significantly. Postoperative 24 hours creatinine clearance and serum creatinine were not changed significantly compared with preoperative data. CONCLUSION: In MRI findings, iso intensity of T2-weighted image was useful for differential diagnosis between RCC and benign lesion.

[Clinical study of gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 17 cases--comparison between laparoscopic adrenalectomy with and without pneumoperitoneum].

PURPOSE: To determine the efficiency of gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy, this procedure was compared to that with pneumoperitoneum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1994 and December 1996, 17 gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in 5 men and 12 women, 36 to 79 years old. Clinical diagnosis was primary aldosteronism in 8, pheocromocytoma in 2, incidentaloma in 4 and adrenal cyst in 3. When gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, the laparoscope was inserted through the upper margin of the umbilicus by open laparotomy. To create a workable space, a 1.2 mm Kirschner wire was advanced subcutaneously below the costal arch and attached to a retractor. Operating time, estimated blood loss, changes of the end tidal CO2 concentration during operation, operative complications and postoperative course were compared to those with pneumoperitoneum in 12 cases. RESULTS: In both procedures, satisfying workable spaces were created in all cases. The mean operating time and estimated blood loss were 245 min and 201 ml without pneumoperitoneum, 317 min and 274 ml with pneumoperitoneum, respectively. The mean changes of end tidal CO2 concentration during operation were 3.2 mmHg without pneumoperitoneum and 5.1 mmHg with pneumoperitoneum. As operative complications, open operations were required in 2 cases (1 without pneumoperitoneum and another with pneumoperitoneum) to control intraoperative bleeding. They had the histories of transabdominal operations. Postoperative bleeding was observed in 2 cases (1 without pneumoperitoneum and another with pneumoperitoneum). One of them (with pneumoperitoneum) needed surgical management for hemostasis. Fever over 38 degrees C that occurred in 1 case with pneumoperitoneum appeared to be absorption fever. No differences were observed in the number of the days to the start of oral intake and for postoperative hospitalization between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy is available for most adrenal tumors. Suction could be used unrestrictedly and there were no hemodynamic or ventilatory effects due to pneumoperitoneum. This procedure appears to be safe and advantageous for the treatment of most adrenal tumors.

[Bladder calculus after augmentation ileocystoplasty in children].

Of 12 children who had undergone augmentation ileocystoplasty for treatment of neurogenic bladder, 3 developed bladder calculi 9 to 19 months after the operation. All these 3 children had simultaneously undergone procedure to ensure urinary continence together with ileocystoplasty, and postoperative persistent bacteriuria was found in these 3 children. Component of bladder calculi was magnesium-ammonium phosphate in 2 and calcium phosphate in the other child, and all were successfully removed by endoscopic lithotripsy. These data suggest that postoperative persistent bacteriuria as well as procedures to ensure urinary continence might play a role in the formation of bladder calculus after augmentation cystoplasty.

Gasless retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy for a case with renal cell carcinoma.

A 53-year-old man with incidental renal cell carcinoma underwent gasless retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy. Convalescence was uneventful. There remained no evidence of disease during the 58-month follow up.

Clinical and endocrinological features of adrenocorticotropic hormone- independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: We report clinical findings in 5 patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 4 males and 1 female 32 to 61 years old (median age 50) we evaluated clinical symptoms, endocrinological and radiological characteristics, treatment modality and postoperative clinical course. RESULTS: All cases presented with some features of Cushing's syndrome. Endocrinological examination revealed autonomous adrenal cortisol production with suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone and a loss in the diurnal circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol. Abdominal computerized tomography showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple nodules. 131Iodine labeled adosterol scintigraphy demonstrated remarkable bilateral uptake by the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland appeared normal on magnetic resonance imaging. Open unilateral complete adrenalectomy and contralateral partial adrenalectomy were performed in patient 1, open bilateral complete adrenalectomy was done in patients 2 and 3, and 2 and 1-stage laparoscopic bilateral complete adrenalectomy was performed in patients 4 and 5. Single removed adrenal glands weighed 32 to 108 gm. (median 60). The histological diagnosis was macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia in all cases. Postoperative followup was 3 to 90 months. Clinical symptoms of Cushing's syndrome disappeared or improved after surgery in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although adrenocorticotropic hormone independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia is a rare form of Cushing's syndrome, physicians are advised to consider it when diagnosing and treating cases of Cushing's syndrome with enlarged bilateral adrenal glands. Bilateral complete adrenalectomy is currently recommended as the treatment of choice.

Non-traumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula.

PURPOSE: In the present paper, we report on a 34-year-old female with macroscopic hematuria due to a nontraumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula (APF). The patient initially presented at another hospital with asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. Following abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and laboratory data, no abnormal findings were seen. Therefore, the patient was referred to Teine Keijinkai Hospital for a more precise evaluation of the urinary tract and vascular abnormality. METHODS/RESULTS: Endoscopically, there was bleeding from the right ureteral orifice, so the patient was admitted for further examination. No abnormal findings were seen on urinary cytology and following an intravenous pyelogram. A selective right lower polar renal arteriogram revealed arterial extravasation directly into the pelvis before the venous phase, so APF of the kidney was diagnosed. The patient had no history of urinary tract trauma, so the APF was thought to be idiopathic. After transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with a gelatine sponge, macroscopic and microscopic hematuria disappeared and a low-density area was seen in the middle pole of the right kidney in an abdominal CT scan 4 days after TAE. This was thought to be renal infarction due to TAE. CONCLUSIONS: After discharge, the patient had no further hematuria.

Parturition in six renal allograft recipients.

Between 1983 and 1994, we studied renal function and neonatal conditions for eight pregnancies and births to six women who had received renal transplants in order to assess the effect of an allograft on pregnancy and its outcome. The gestation period was 34 to 39 weeks (mean 36 weeks and 4 days), and four pregnancies ended before term. All eight babies were delivered by cesarean section. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was found in both babies of one woman who had been treated with conventional (without cyclosporin) immunosuppression. The serum creatinine level did not change during gestation in any of the women but was elevated after delivery in four. Four mothers suffered from proteinuria (25-364 mg/dl) during gestation, but the proteinuria disappeared after delivery in all but one case. The one exception, persistent proteinuria of 100-200 mg/dl, was assumed to result from the recurrence of the original renal disease (lgA nephropathy). The reduction of creatinine clearance and hydronephrosis of one graft noted during gestation were later reversed. None of the eight babies (four females and four males) was congenitally malformed, and their Apar scores were 6 to 9 (median 8). They are now 3 months to 11 years old, and seven of them are healthy and show good growth. One of the two IUGR babies has not grown well; her weight and height are more than 1 SD below the mean for her age, and she is mentally retarded and suffers from muscle weakness. Compared with dialysis patients, female renal allograft recipient have a better quality of life because they can safely deliver a child if they observe the criteria for pregnancy established for renal allogaft recipients.