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At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using microwave tissue coagulator for small renal tumors: usefulness and complications.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the usefulness and complications of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors using a microwave tissue coagulator without renal pedicle clamping. METHODS: Between September 1999 and March 2003, 19 patients with small renal tumors 11 to 45 mm in diameter underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without renal ischemia. RESULTS: Six and 13 patients were treated by the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches, respectively. Excluding a case with open conversion due to dense perirenal adhesions, 18 patients successfully underwent laparoscopic procedures. The mean operative time was 240 minutes with minimal blood loss in 14 patients and 100 to 400 ml in 4. In a patient, frozen sections revealed a positive surgical margin and additional resection was performed. Postoperative complications included extended urine leakage for 14 days, arteriovenous fistula and almost total loss of renal function, respectively, in a patient. With the median follow-up of 19 months, no patients showed local recurrence or distant metastasis by CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator may be useful for treating small renal tumors because it does not require advanced laparoscopic skill. However, the indication of this procedure should be highly selective in order to minimize serious complications secondary to unexpected collateral damage to surrounding structures.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Clamping of the renal artery in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: an old device for a new technique.

OBJECTIVE: We describe our experience with the transient clamping of the renal artery during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cancer with a double loop clamping device, inspired by the Rumel tourniquet. The silastic rubber loop is positioned around the renal artery and clinched, thus achieving arterial occlusion. METHODS: From November 2002 until July 2004, fourteen consecutive patients (mean age of 58 +/- 11.6 years) underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomy using the silastic rubber clamping device, eight of them on the right side and six on the left side. Hemorrhage of the renal defect was controlled with bipolar electrocoagulation, argon beam coagulation, laparoscopic sutures, surgical and fibrin glue. RESULTS: : The mean surgical time was 198.92 +/- 39.95 min for a mean tumour size of 2.9 +/- 2.32 cm and a mean blood loss of 104.57 +/- 77.69 ml. The clamping device was easily and successfully positioned around the renal artery in 2.05 +/- 0.45 min and the mean warm ischemic time was 25.21 +/- 6.07 min. CONCLUSIONS: The clamping device procures successful atraumatic occlusion of the renal artery during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without the need for an additional port. As such, it could be considered as an alternative for the laparoscopic bulldog and Satinsky clamp.

Constriction↗

PubMed2006

Minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery (MINSS) for renal tumours part I: laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To review the evolution and current status of extirpative methods (laparoscopic partial nephrectomy [LPN]) of minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery (MINSS) for renal tumors. METHODS: The English language literature of the past 10 yr was reviewed by using the National Library of Medicine database and the following keywords: kidney, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, minimally invasive, nephron-sparing surgery, renal, and tumor. Over 275 papers were identified. Of these, 55 papers were selected for this review on the basis of their contribution in advancing the field with regards to (1) evolution of concepts, (2) development and refinement of techniques, and (3) intermediate- and long-term clinical outcomes of LPN. RESULTS: Open partial nephrectomy (OPN) is the reference standard for nephron-sparing surgery against which all MINSS techniques should be measured. With available skills for time-sensitive intracorporeal suturing, LPN provides perioperative results and long-term oncologic and functional outcomes comparable to the reference standard, with significantly decreased patient morbidity. The initial 5-yr data of 50 patients has just become available, and shows overall and cancer-specific survival of 84% and 100%, respectively. As global experience with this technique increases, data need to be prospectively accrued, and long-term cancer cure rates should be compared with the reference standard. CONCLUSIONS: As of this writing, the technique and global acceptance of LPN is evolving, although it remains restricted by the complexity of laparoscopic renal reconstruction. In expert hands, cancer cure and renal function outcomes are similar to OPN.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Laparoscopic live donor right nephrectomy: a new technique to maximize the length of the renal vein using a modified Endo GIA stapler.

OBJECTIVES: To report the utilization of a modified Endo GIA vascular stapler to obtain the full length of the renal vein during transperitoneal laparoscopic live donor right nephrectomy. METHODS: We used a modified Endo GIA stapler, in which the triple staggered rows of staples were removed from the kidney donor side to obtain the full length of the right renal vein. This technique has currently been used in nine consecutive transperitoneal laparoscopic right donor nephrectomies. RESULTS: With this technique, the entire right renal vein length was harvested in all cases, without vascular complications. Mean renal warm ischemia time from clamping of the renal vessels to cold perfusion was 135s, and mean receptor postoperative glomerular filtration rate after 30 d was 67.3 ml/min. There were no graft losses. CONCLUSIONS: A novel technique for laparoscopic live donor right nephrectomy is described. It allows harvesting the full length of the right renal vein in a safe and feasible way without compromising warm ischemia time.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor polyamines discriminates high-risk patients undergoing nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to display a wide variation in biological behavior and clinical outcome. Although usual bioclinical prognostic parameters (eg, nuclear grade, tumor stage) are to a certain extent useful in predicting the outcome of RCC after radical nephrectomy, they now appear to be insufficient. The polyamines (spermidine, spermine, and putrescine) are ubiquitous polycations that are essential for cell proliferation. To support their excessive proliferation, cancer cells have high rates of polyamine metabolism. Indeed, malignant cells typically have higher polyamine levels than their normal counterparts. Before this report, antipolyamine antibodies that are potentially valuable tools for the in situ observation of polyamines had not been exploited in clinical conditions. In the present study, tumor tissues obtained from radical nephrectomy performed for RCC (n = 73) were immunostained with the anti-spermine monoclonal antibody Spm8-2, and the immunoreactivity was evaluated as a prognostic tool. RCC cells displayed various reactivity to the antibody Spm8-2 that translated into a heterogeneous cytoplasmic staining. The prognostic value of the labeling index (LI) on clinical outcome was correlated with the usual clinicopathologic parameters, and the cell proliferation rate was evaluated using Ki-67 labeling. Multiple correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchical classification were performed to determine significant prognostic factors. Univariate statistical survival analysis demonstrated that tumor size (P < .001), nuclear grade (P < .01), necrosis (P < .007), tumor stage (P < .004), metastasis (P < .001), Ki-67 LI (P < .0003), and Spm8-2 immunoreactivity (P < .0001) were predictors of tumor-related death. A positive correlation was found between Ki-67 LI and Spm8-2 immunoreactivity (r' = .53). Multivariate analysis revealed that only Ki-67 LI and Spm8-2 immunoreactivity were significant independent factors in patients with metastases (P < .04 and <.001, respectively) and in patients without metastases (P < .006 and <.001, respectively). Moreover, 100% of the patients with Spm8-2 immunoreactivity <10% were alive at the end of the follow-up. In terms of predictive values, Spm8-2 immunoreactivity had the highest predictive values (sensitivity, 89; specificity, 75; risk ratio, 11) of all clinicopathologic parameters. This study demonstrates that the anti-spermine monoclonal antibody Spm8-2 may be used at the time of radical nephrectomy as a reliable prognostic marker for defining RCC patients at high risk for progression.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in infants and toddlers.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this report is to assess the technique and outcome of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in infants and toddlers. METHODS: From January 2001 to January 2005, 7 consecutive patients, ages 5 to 15 months, underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomies. All patients had duplicated systems associated with ureteroceles (5), severe reflux (1), ectopic ureter (1), and nonfunctioning systems. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 51 months. RESULTS: All procedures were completed successfully using 4 ports (2 x 5 and 2 x 3 mm) except one, which required an additional port. The distal ureter, renal parenchyma, and hilar vessels were all transected using the harmonic scalpel. The mean operating time was 179 minutes with minimal blood loss in each case. The average hospital stay was 2.4 days (range, 1-5 days). The first case in the series, initially attempted retroperitoneally, was converted to a transabdominal approach because of lack of space. All subsequent approaches were transabdominal. One patient required ureteral stump reexcision because of frequent urinary tract infections associated with a distal ureteral diverticulum. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be performed safely. The harmonic scalpel divides the parenchyma bloodlessly. The cosmetic result is excellent. A transabdominal approach with division of the ureteral cuff flush with the bladder is recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy 1997 to 2003: lessons learned with 500 cases at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a less invasive alternative to traditional open nephrectomy that has several potential advantages. However, there have been few large series reports describing the complications of LDN and the details of their management. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 500 LDNs performed at our center between October 1997 and September 2003. We evaluated preoperative donor characteristics, intraoperative parameters and complications, and postoperative recovery and complications. A modification of the Clavien classification was developed and used to grade the severity of all complications. RESULTS: The overall rate of intraoperative complications was 2.8%. There were 9 open conversions (1.8%), of which 6 were in the first 100 cases. Six of the 9 open conversions were for management of complications; 3 were elective. Seven renovascular incidents (1.4%) all required open conversion except one. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 3.4%. Thirty of 500 patients in our LDN series experienced an intraoperative or procedure-related complication (6.0%). When graded by severity, 18 of 31 (58.1%) of all complications were grade 1, 11 of 31 (35.4%) grade 2, and 2 of 31 (6.5%) grade 3. Only 1 recipient experienced delayed graft function, and only 1 recipient had a urologic complication. CONCLUSIONS: Our series supports the safety and efficacy of LDN with very low intraoperative complication and conversion rates. Most of the intraoperative complications can be managed laparoscopically. Readmissions are extremely rare (1.5%). Aberrant vascular anatomy and obesity are not contraindications to LDN, but they require experience. With careful surgical technique, delayed graft function and urologic complications in recipients can be avoided. A graded classification scheme for reporting complications of donor nephrectomy might be useful for maintaining registry information on donor outcomes and when informing potential donors about the risks and benefits of this procedure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Open versus laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in live related renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This analysis sought to evaluate the efficiency and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy (LDN) for the donor, the recipient, and the graft. LDN seems to have advantages over the open donor nephrectomy (ODN) in length of hospital stay, postoperative comfort, and pain control. METHODS: The results of 40 patients who underwent LDN between October 2000 and September 2003 were compared to those of 40 ODN patients just preceding the LDN patients. Eight laparoscopy patients required conversion to an open procedure due to bleeding (4; two major and two minor), technical problems with the instrument (n = 1) and difficulty in the dissection (n = 3). RESULTS: The demographic data, percentages of right and left nephrectomy, number of vessels, rates of acute rejection episodes, as well as the rates of urologic and vascular complications were similar between the two groups. The time of hospital stay was shorter, and the duration of the operation and of the warm ischemia time were significantly longer for the LDN group. The postoperative decline in serum creatinine levels were similar for the two groups. Graft survival rates were 91.7% at both the first and third years in the LDN group; 92.5% and 87.0% for the ODN group, a difference that was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: LDN is as efficient and safe as ODN for donors, recipients, and grafts.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2004

Regional versus general anesthesia for donor nephrectomy: effects on graft function.

Various general and regional anesthesia methods are used successfully in living-donor kidney transplantation. This study compared kidney graft function after general versus combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for donor nephrectomy. The study groups included recipients who received grafts from donors who had undergone nephrectomy under general anesthesia (GA group; n=10), and recipients who received grafts from donors who had combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE group, n=10). Standard continuous epidural anesthesia was administered during all transplantations. Graft function was assessed using scintigraphy and Doppler ultrasonography on days 3 and 7. Urine levels of microalbumin, creatinine, and creatinine clearance rate were measured/calculated in 24-hour urine samples collected on postoperative days 3 and 7. There were no differences on either day 3 or day 7 with respect to glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, or creatinine clearance rate (P >.05 for all). There were also no differences between the groups with respect to other scintigraphic findings on day 3 or day 7 (P >.05 for all). Ultrasonography on day 7 showed significantly higher mean peak systolic flow in the main renal artery in the CSE group than in the GA group (P=.035). The results suggest that GA and CSE for donor nephrectomy have similar effects on kidney graft function in recipients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Routine use of renal-dose dopamine during living donor nephrectomy has no beneficial effect to either donor or recipient.

BACKGROUND: The use of dopamine as a renoprotective agent in kidney transplantation remains unclear. Some reports suggest that dopamine improves initial graft function and survival, while others have failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect. Our live-donor nephrectomy program is serviced by 2 senior anesthetists, one who routinely uses dopamine and the other who considers that current evidence does not support a renoprotective effect of dopamine in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. PURPOSE: We aimed to study the renoprotective effect on donor and recipient renal function of renal-dose dopamine during laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy (LDN). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 59 live donor and recipient pairs between 1999 and 2004. Donors were grouped according to whether they received dopamine infusion during LDN. All donors received Hartmann solution to maintain the central venous pressure at 12 mm Hg. The percentage change in serum creatinine (SCr) in both donors and recipients was compared at day 1, day 7, and week 6. RESULTS: In the donors, dopamine infusion had no effect on the mean percentage rise in SCr at day 1 or the mean percentage decrease in SCr at week 6. At day 7, however, patients who received dopamine had a significantly greater decrease in SCr compared with those who did not. In the recipients, there was no significant difference in the mean percentage decrease in SCr at days 1 or 7 or at week 6. Analysis at 1 year revealed no significant difference in sCr among the groups of donors and recipients. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative use of renal-dose dopamine during LDN seems to have no beneficial effect for either donor or recipient.

Creatinine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in living donors.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HLN) in living donors is a minimally invasive surgical modality that uses classic laparoscopic techniques either combined or not with the use of the surgeon's hand as a support tool during renal dissection maneuvers. The purpose of this study was to describe the initial experience with HLN technique in renal donors. Among 58 hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies, the left kidney was removed in 39 donors (67%) and the right in 19 (33%). Surgery time ranged from 55 to 270 minutes (mean 156.9 +/- 49.5). Warm ischemia time ranged from 2 to 11 minutes (mean 4.38 +/- 2.31 min), with an estimated mean blood loss during the intraoperative period of 268 mL. Conversion to open surgery was required for four (6.8%) patients due to a vascular lesion. Upon graft evaluation, we observed immediate diuresis in 56 (96.3%) cases, with a mean serum creatinine on postoperative day 7 of 1.74 +/- 1.61 mg/dL. Renal vein thrombosis requiring graft removal occurred in one (1.7%) patient. Lymphocele was observed in three recipients (5.1%), and urinary leakage due to ureteral necrosis in three cases (5.1%). HLN for living donors is a safe procedure and an effective alternative to open nephrectomy. In this series, the procedure displayed low morbidity after surgery, providing a good morphological and functional quality of the graft for the recipient.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Introduction of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge.

Living donor kidney transplantation accounts for about 50% of the total number of renal transplantations at our center. From 1999 through 2005, 75 out of 220 living donor nephrectomies were performed with a laparoscopic technique (LLDN). In June 2005, we introduced the technique of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (HARS) for living donors. Since the introduction until the end of 2005, 11 out of 18 living donor nephrectomies (LDN) were performed with HARS. Reduced operation time was observed for the HARS group (mean, 166 minutes) compared with the LLDN (mean, 244 minutes). Two grafts showed delayed function, one in the LLND group and one in the HARS group. No major perioperative or postoperative complications were observed in the HARS group, whereas one patient who underwent LLDN developed severe pancreatitis. So far in our hands HARS is a fast and safe procedure with results comparable with open LDN. Compared to LLDN, we experienced reduced operation time together with the advantage of retroperitoneal access.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Serum analysis after transplant nephrectomy reveals restricted antibody specificity patterns against structurally defined HLA class I mismatches.

This study deals with HLA-mismatched kidney transplants that have been removed following rejection. Sera from 27 patients were screened for HLA-specific antibodies by direct complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity with HLA-typed cell panels. Circulating donor-specific antibodies were detected in 3 cases (11%) before and in 26 cases (97%) after allograft nephrectomy. These findings demonstrate the production of donor-specific antibodies in patients with rejected transplants, but in most cases, they were undetectable before nephrectomy, because the graft had adsorbed them. With an HLAMatchmaker-based serum analysis program, we observed restricted antibody specificity patterns against amino acid triplet-defined epitopes on donor HLA-A,B antigens. Many donor triplets were non-reactive while others were apparently recognized by antibodies. In some patients, the donor triplet specific antibodies persisted for a long time whereas in many other patients, they became undetectable after a few months. The characterization of the antibody specificity profiles of post-allograft nephrectomy sera is clinically useful in defining criteria of HLA mismatch acceptability for sensitized patients awaiting another transplant. It provides also opportunities for determining the relative immunogenicity of mismatched triplets.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Use of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification to assess perioperative risk in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a retrospective analysis to determine the operative morbidity in patients with substantial comorbidities requiring renal surgery. Increasing numbers of patients requiring renal surgery are presenting with substantial comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification was used to define perioperative risk. Of 1087 patients who underwent nephrectomy between 1989 and 2001, 237 patients were classified as ASA classification 1 or 2 (low risk), 297 were ASA classification 3 (intermediate risk), and 17 were ASA classification 4 (high risk). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found among the low-risk, intermediate-risk, or high-risk patients with regard to 1997 T stage distribution, mean tumor size, vascular and/or inferior vena cava involvement, percentage of partial nephrectomy, adjacent organ resection, or preoperative hemoglobin. Intermediate-risk patients did have a greater estimated blood loss (946 versus 739 mL, P = 0.05), leading to greater transfusion rates (42% versus 28%, P = 0.001). However, no increase occurred in intraoperative or postoperative morbidity. High-risk patients also had greater transfusion rates, as well as a greater rate of complications occurring more than 24 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Partial or radical nephrectomy can be offered to patients with comorbid conditions. ASA classification 3 patients are more likely to require transfusion. This may have been a result of a lower threshold to transfuse patients with preoperative morbidities. However, the perioperative and postoperative complication rates were similar to those of low-risk patients. Not surprisingly, high-risk patients had greater rates of transfusions and complications.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumor: Nagoya experience.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the indication for a vascular clamp during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, the clinical results of 17 patients who underwent the procedure for small renal tumors were reviewed. METHODS: Seventeen patients with renal tumors were enrolled in our laparoscopic partial nephrectomy program between October 1999 and November 2003. During laparoscopy, a vascular clamp was used to remove the tumor mass and suture the incised renal parenchyma and urinary collecting system in 8 patients who had less-than-1-cm-thick renal parenchyma between the mass and the renal sinus or calices. In the remaining 9 patients, who had 1-cm-or-more-thick renal parenchyma between the mass and sinus or calices, renal bleeding was controlled using ultrasonic scissors, gauze tampon, argon beam coagulator, and fibrin glue. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were successfully treated with laparoscopy; one required conversion to open surgery because of uncontrollable bleeding. The average operative time was 4.5 hours, and average estimated bleeding volume was 301 mL. In the 8 patients requiring vascular clamping by forceps, the average ischemic time was 25 minutes. In all patients, the tumor mass was completely removed with negative surgical margins, and renal function was preserved. Three patients had prolonged urinary leakage for a mean of 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy offers many advantages, including surgery that is both nephron sparing and minimally invasive. A vascular clamp was indicated for patients with less-than-1-cm-thick renal parenchyma between the tumor mass and renal sinus or calices.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Repair of superior mesenteric artery ligation during left nephrectomy with a native renal vein patch.

Injury to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) during nephrectomy is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. SMA injury during nephrectomy most commonly occurs with large tumors or bulky lymphadenopathy, with inadvertent injury or mistaken ligation of the SMA instead of the renal artery. Failure to recognize and repair an SMA injury results in ischemic bowel and death for most patients. We report a case of SMA ligation during left nephrectomy for xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, review the intraoperative evaluation of suspected SMA injury, and describe our vascular repair using a vein patch from the native left renal vein.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗

PubMed2004

En bloc stapling of renal hilum during laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and advisability of en bloc mass stapling of the renal pedicle during difficult laparoscopic nephrectomy to avoid conversion to an open procedure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 433 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic simple or radical nephrectomy or laparoscopic nephroureterectomy between August 1998 and July 2003 by two surgeons. In all cases of en bloc hilar ligation, a stapler was deployed across the renal hilum without individual dissection of the renal artery and vein. RESULTS: The overall incidence of en bloc ligation was 6.0% (26 of 433 patients). The reasons for en bloc ligation were a difficult hilar dissection and/or the appearance of the renal hilum in 21 cases and urgent ligation secondary to bleeding in 5 cases. No correlation was found between surgeon experience and the frequency of en bloc ligation. No immediate or short-term complications related to this method of hilar division were observed with a mean follow-up of 26 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no cases of arteriovenous fistula development occurred after en bloc stapling of the renal pedicle. Long-term follow-up is needed, because arteriovenous fistula development may be a late complication of nephrectomy. Although we do not advocate the generalized use of en bloc division of the renal pedicle, early data suggest that en bloc stapling can be performed to avoid conversion to an open procedure with no related short-term complications.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic-assisted nephrectomy with inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic-assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma and level I IVC tumor thrombus. METHODS: The clinical, operative, and pathologic data were retrospectively obtained from patients undergoing the above-mentioned procedure for renal tumors involving the IVC. This approach involved laparoscopic dissection of the kidney and renal vasculature/IVC. After renal artery ligation, an 8 to 12-cm incision was made from the tip of the 11th rib extending anteriorly toward the midline. Through this incision, a Satinsky vascular clamp was placed on the IVC in such a way as to include all the caval thrombus. The tumor thrombus was removed en bloc with the kidney and the cavotomy repaired with a running suture. RESULTS: Four obese patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic-assisted right nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy. The mean tumor size was 9 cm (range 6 to 13), with the thrombus extending 2 cm into the IVC in all cases. Patients had a mean body mass index of 32.8 (range 30.5 to 37.2) and a mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 2.8 (range 2 to 3). The mean operative time was 248 minutes (range 225 to 274). The mean estimated blood loss was 517 mL (range 250 to 900). No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The mean hospital stay was 6.2 days (range 4 to 11, median 5). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic-assisted nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy is a difficult but feasible procedure. This approach allows a smaller incision than a typical open approach. Additional studies are needed to examine the advantages of this approach over a pure open approach.

Aged↗