Laparoscopic nephrectomy outside gerota fascia and en bloc ligation of the renal hilum for management of inflammatory renal diseases

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aims to improve laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques for inflammatory renal diseases (IRD) and to reduce complications. Materials and Methods Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD, with a method of outside Gerota fascia dissection and en-bloc ligation and division of the renal pedicle. Operative time, blood loss, complications, analgesia requirement, post-operative recovery of intestinal function and hospital stay were recorded. The degrees of perinephric adhesion were classified based on the observation during operation and post-operative dissection of the specimen, and the association of different types of adhesion with the difficulty of the procedures was examined. Results Among 33 cases, three were converted to hand-assisted laparoscopy, and one was converted to open surgery. Mean operative time was 99.6±29.2min, and blood loss was 75.2±83.5 mL. Postoperative recovery time of intestinal function was 1.6±0.7 days and average hospital stay was 4.8±1.4 days. By classification and comparison of the perinephric adhesions, whether inflammation extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum was found to be not only an important factor influencing the operative time and blood loss, but also the main reason for conversion to hand-assisted laparoscopy or open surgery. Conclusions In laparoscopic nephrectomy, outside Gerota fascia dissection of the kidney and en-bloc ligation of the renal pedicle using EndoGIA could reduce the difficulty of procedure and operative time, with satisfactory safety and reliability. Inflammation and adhesion extending beyond Gerota fascia or involving renal hilum is an important predictor of the difficulty related to laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD.

Xanthogranulonatous pyelonephritis: report of 5 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an unusual form of chronic pyelonephritis in which the renal parenchyma is destroyed and replaced by lipid-laden foamy macrophages. It usually affects middle-aged women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection, diabetes, or kidney stones. The inflammatory process is usually diffuse and can extend beyond the kidney. The rare focal forms may simulate primary renal tumours. The preoperative imaging diagnosis may be difficult. We reported five cases of XGP, The findings of ours were recorded including kidney size, shape, contour, the echogenecity of the renal parenchyma, the internal echoes of the dilate collecting system, the presence of perinephric fluid accumulation and obstruction. One of the 5 cases was a male patient, and the other four were female, with a mean age of 53 years. He affected kidneys of the 5 cases swelled in different degrees, and one of them was found with line-like anechoic fluid. Among the 5 cases, one kidney appeared as diffusely reducing of the parenchyma echogenicity, multiple hypoechoic areas, disappearance of corticomedullary differentiation and multiple hyperecho with shadow. A round cystic anechoic lesion was found in one kidney, with internal punctate echo and peripheral fluid. Ultrasonographic finding of 1 case was extremely hypoechoic lesion on the left kidney, protruding from the outline of the kidney, with the partial renal capsule discontinuous, the less clear boundary, and a little blood flow in it. Ultrasonographic demonstration of 2 cases was mild dilatation of the collecting system with irregular wall thickening and internal hypoechogenicity, and 1 case was solid lesion with less clear boundary to the pelvic wall and a small amount of blood flow signal, the another 1 case was showed floccule without internal blood flow. Three cases were caused by chronic obstruction verified by operation, of which one was staghorn calculi, one was poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the middle part of the ureter, and one was inflammatory stricture of upper ureteral. Through analysis of the above five cases and review of related literature, we explored diagnoses and management of the patients with XGP. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare chronic variant of pyelonephritis characterized by destruction of the renal parenchyma. Combining ultrasonographic features of XGP with clinical recurrent urinary infection and chronic obstruction, XGP can be included in the differentiation. The diagnosis of XGP suspected by ultrasound can be clarified by CT, MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Intraureteral and intravenous indocyanine green to facilitate robotic partial nephroureterectomy in a patient with complete ureteral triplication

A patient with a complete right ureteral triplication presented with recurrent pyelonephritis and flank pain that was refractory to medical management. Evaluation showed that the atrophic upper-most renal moiety had been chronically obstructed and was associated with a dilated ureter. Intraureteral and intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) were used as real-time contrast agents intraoperatively to facilitate right robotic partial nephroureterectomy of the diseased system. Intraureteral ICG was used to accurately distinguish the pathologic ureter and associated renal pelvis from its normal counterparts. Intravenous ICG was used to assess perfusion in the right kidney and delineate the margins of diseased renal parenchyma.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: our experience with conservative management in 14 cases

Emphysematous pyelonephritis [EPN] is a rare, severe, acute, necrotizing infection of the kidney. In this study, we present the clinical details, the management strategies, and the outcome of fourteen patients of EPN managed at our center. A retrospective analysis of the hospital records was done. A total of fourteen patients with EPN were admitted in our hospital from August 2007 to February 2011. All the patients were managed conservatively. Follow-up ranged from six months to one year. Of the fourteen patients, four belonged to class I, five to class II, four to class III A and one to class III B. All the patients had history of fever, 43% had localized flank pain while 36% had vague abdominal discomfort. Renal angle tenderness was the most common sign, seen in 86% of the patients. E. coli was the most common bacteria, which was isolated from urine in 57% of the patients. On the risk factor stratification, three patients had simultaneous presence of 2 or more risk factors [thrombocytopenia-2 patients; renal function impairment-7 patients; shock-1 patient]. All the patients were initially managed with aggressive fluid and electrolyte resuscitation, control of blood sugar levels, and broad spectrum antibiotics. Intervention, in the form of percutaneous drainage or DJ stenting, was done in six patients. One patient failed to respond to this minimally invasive modality of treatment and had to undergo an open drainage. Thus, the acute episode was managed with conservative management strategies in all the patients; however, three patients underwent nephrectomy due to poorly-functioning kidney during follow-up. EPN is now being more readily diagnosed, at an early stage, making conservative management of EPN a safe, effective, and feasible option.

Pielonefritis, colecistitis y cistitis enfisematosas en paciente con diabetes mellitus descompensada / Pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, and emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic patient

Background. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a necrotizing infection characterized by gas production that usually is located in the kidney tissue, urinary tract and retroperitoneal tissue. Gas can escape following the renal veins and accumulate in the hepatic veins and other places. E coli is the most common causative organism. Clinical case: We report a 62 years old diabetic female, admitted to the hospital with a diabetic ketoacidosis. An abdominal CT scan disclosed a left emphysematous pyelonephritis, cholecystitis and cystitis. The patient was operated, performing a left nephrectomy, cholecystectomy and placement of sub hepatic and retroperitoneal drainages. The pathological study of the surgical piece showed an acute pyelonephritis with abscess formation and chronic cholecystitis. The patient died due to a multi systemic failure.

Introducción: La Pielonefritis enfisematosa es una infección necrotizante caracterizada por la producción de gas, que habitualmente se ubica en el parénquima renal, las vías urinarias y los tejidos retroperi-toneales. Cuando el gas es abundante puede escapar siguiendo las venas renales y acumularse en las venas hepáticas, y el resto del sistema. La E. coli es el patógeno más frecuente. Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de paciente femenina de 62 años, diabética que ingresa con sintomatología de vías urinarias diagnosticada como pielonefritis enfisematosa izquierda por tomografía y encontrando como hallazgos adicionales.

Nefrectomía simple por puerto único (LESS) asistida por robot (da Vinci) / Single-site port robotic-assisted simple nephrectomy (LESS)

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery in urology is rapidly advancing and Laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is not the exception. Such laparoscopic procedures are technically challenging and require an experienced laparoscopic surgeon due to the lack of port placement triangulation and instrument clashing. The benefit of the da Vinci surgical system has recently introduced to LESS. We present two cases of robotic LESS nephrectomy. Matherials and Methods: Two patients, a female of 23 years old, diagnosed with right renal atrophy secondary to chronic pyelonephritis and one male patient with diagnosis of left staghorn calculi and renal atrophy. Both underwent to a total nephrectomy assisted by the da Vinci S surgical system through a single port incision using the GelPoint® access system. Results: The first surgery was performed without incidents or conversion. The second patient required the installation of an additional robotic port for triangulation. The dock time and the mean operative time was 18 and 110 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 100 cc and the hospital stay was 27 hours. There were no complications. Conclusions: LESS robotic surgery is feasible using current robotic systems. However, there are several limitations. The design of specific technology for the use of the robot through single incision can solve this problem.

Introducción: La cirugía mínimamente invasiva en urología avanza rápidamente y la cirugía laparo-endoscópica a través de puerto único (LESS) no es la excepción. Esta técnica por vía laparoscópica presenta mucha dificultad y requiere de un cirujano laparoscópico experimentado debido a la falta de triangulación y el cruce de los instrumentos. Los beneficios del sistema quirúrgico da Vinci® han sido introducidos recientemente en LESS. Presentamos dos casos de nefrectomía LESS asistida por robot. Materiales y Métodos: Dos pacientes, la primera de sexo femenino y 23 años de edad, con diagnóstico de atrofia renal secundaria a pielonefritis crónica derecha y un segundo paciente de sexo masculino con diagnóstico de litiasis coraliforme izquierda y atrofia renal. Ambos pacientes fueron sometidos a una nefrectomía total asistida por el sistema quirúrgico robótico da Vinci S a través de un puerto único utilizando el dispositivo de acceso GelPoint®. Resultados: La primera cirugía fue llevada a cabo sin incidentes, sin necesidad de conversión. En el segundo paciente fue necesaria la instalación de un puerto robótico adicional para triangulación. El tiempo de acoplamiento y operatorio promedio fue de 18 y 110 min. El sangrado promedio estimado fue de 100 cc y la estadía hospitalaria promedio de 27 horas. No hubo complicaciones. Conclusiones: La cirugía robótica LESS es posible de realizar utilizando los sistemas robóticos actuales. Sin embargo, existen diversas limitaciones. El diseño de tecnología específica para el uso del robot por puerto único podrá solucionar este problema.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: a case report

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe, acute necrotizing renal parenchymal and perirenal infection with formation of gas. Emphysematous pyelonephritis predominantly affects females with uncontrolled diabetes and can occur in insulin-dependent as well as non-insulin dependant patients. CT scan is the modality of choice for the staging of the parenchymal gas and to rule out obstruction. We present a case of 83-year old female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who presented with dysu-rea and right flank pain in the emergency department. She was diagnosed as a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis. She was treated successfully in the urology department by antibiotics and percutaneous drainage

Laparoscopic upper-pole nephroureterectomy in infants

OBJECTIVE: Report the results of laparoscopic upper-pole nephroureterectomy in infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six consecutive infants underwent 7 laparoscopic upper-pole nephroureterectomy. Pre and postoperative evaluation included renal sonography, voiding cystourethrogram and renal scintigraphy. All infants showed upper-pole exclusion. Surgery was performed through a transperitoneal approach with full flank position in all infants. Three or 4 ports were used according to the necessity of retracting the liver. The distal ureter was ligated close to the bladder whenever reflux was present and the dysplastic upper-pole was divided with the help of an electrocautery. Data regarding operative time, postoperative use of analgesics, time to resume oral feeding, hospital stay and tubular function were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All procedures were concluded as planned. Mean operative time was 135 min. One patient underwent staged bilateral upper-pole nephrectomy. There were no complications and the postoperative hospital stay was 48 hours in 5 procedures and 24 hours in 2 procedures. Pain medication was required only in the first day. Renal tubular function showed improvement in half of the cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure in infants. Due to the magnification provided by the lenses, a better vision of the structures is achieved, facilitating selective dissection of vascular upper-pole, renal parenchyma and distal ureter. This approach is less damaging to the lower pole, and is associated to low morbidity and a short hospital stay.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy as a minimally invasive option in the treatment of large renal specimens

INTRODUCTION: We describe our experience with hand-assisted laparoscopy (HAL) as an option for the treatment of large renal specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2000 and August 2004, 13 patients candidate to nephrectomies due to benign renal conditions with kidneys larger than 20 cm were included in a prospective protocol. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in cases of hydronephrosis (6 patients) or giant pyonephrosis (4 patients). Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in 3 patients with adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) with low back pain refractory to clinical treatment previous to kidney transplant. The technique included the introduction of 2 to 3 10 mm ports, manual incision to allow enough space for the surgeon's wrist without a commercial device to keep the pneumoperitoneum. The kidney was empty, preferably extracorporeally, enough to be removed through manual incision. We have assessed operative times, transfusions, complications, conversions, hospital stay and convalescence. RESULTS: The patients mean age (9 women and 4 men) was 58 years. Mean operating time was 120 n 10 min (hydronephrosis), 160 n 28 min (pyonephrosis) and 190 n 13 min (bilateral surgery for APKD). There was a need for a conversion in 1 case and another patient needed a transfusion due to a lesion in the renal vein; 2 patients had minor complications. CONCLUSION: HAL surgery is a minimally invasive alternative in the treatment of large renal specimens, with or without significant inflammation.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in inflammatory renal disease: proposal for a staged approach

INTRODUCTION: The present study shows and discusses the preliminary experience of customized and staged approach in the minimally invasive treatment of inflammatory renal diseases, using either pure laparoscopic surgery or the hand-assisted technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively assessed 17 patients with inflammatory renal diseases operated by laparoscopic approach. Mean age was 41 years and the surgical indication was repeated pyelonephritis in 8 cases, pyonephrosis in 4 cases and renal exclusion due to staghorn stone in 5 cases. The staged laparoscopic approach was chosen based on kidney size and on the presence or not of tomographic findings showing significant perirenal infiltration. Thus, retroperitoneal access was chosen in cases where the kidney was smaller than 12 cm or in the absence of signs of significant perirenal infiltration on the computerized tomography. For the remainder, transperitoneal access was employed. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, 11 underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy by retroperitoneal access, and all cases were successful. Mean surgical time was 160 minutes. In 6 cases where the nephrectomy was performed by laparoscopic transperitoneal access, the use of hand assistance was required. Four surgeries were successfully completed with mean time of 190 minutes and 2 were converted to open surgery with mean time of 220 minutes. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic nephrectomy for inflammatory renal disease is feasible, but presents a high degree of complexity, requiring a customized approach. The use of hand assistance is an attractive option when the inflammatory process is intense, and can avoid conversions, maintaining the advantages of minimally invasive treatments.

Pielonefritis enfisematosa: drenaje percutáneo y revisión actualizada / Emphysematous pyelonephritis: percutaneous drainage and review

La pielonefritis enfisematosa sigue siendo una infección grave del parénquima renal y tejidos perirrenales con gran riesgo vital, altamente asociado a pacientes diabéticos. El método de diagnóstico de elección sugerido es la TAC abdominal. En la actualidad es posible postular un tratamiento conservador como es el drenaje percutáneo guiado bajo visión tomográfica ante el tratamiento tradicional de la nefrectomía. El objetivo de este artículo es ilustrar y revisar este caso clínico tratado con drenaje percutáneo guiado por tomografía que en Chile aún no había sido reportado

Pielonefritis enfisematosa: una patología poco frecuente / Emphysematous pyelonephritis: an infrequent sisease

La pielonefritis enfisematosa es una rara afección del parénquima renal, provocada por bacilos formadores de gas, que se produce casi con exclusividad en pacientes portadores de una diabetes millitus no controlada. Su caracteristica más saliente es que junto con el cuadro infeccioso hay formación de gas que puede localizarse en el parénquima renal, en el tejido perirrenal o bien en la vía excretora. Se presenta una paciente portadora de esta entidad y se hace una revisión de la bibliografía

Pielonefritis enfisematosa / Emphysematous pyelonephritis

La pielonefritis enfisematosa es una infección grave caracterizada por la presencia de gas en el espacio perirrenal, el parénquima o el sistema pieloureteral. Es un cuadro poco frecuente y de alta mortalidad. Se asocia en un 70 a 90 por ciento de los casos a pacientes diabéticos no controlados con o sin uropatía obstructiva (1-6). El objetivo de esta comunicación es presentar dos casos clínicos tratados con buen resultado y revisar la literatura actual al respecto

Pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa: presentación de 20 nuevos pacientes / Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: report of 20 new patients

Se presentan 20 nuevos pacientes con pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa; se hace un recuento histórico de la enfermedad, y se destaca el alto predominio del sexo femenino y de la raza blanca, la mayor frecuencia entre la tercera y la sexta década de la vida y la presencia de la litiasis renoureteral en el total de los pacientes estudiados, al igual que la unilateralidad de la lesión. Entre las manifestaciones clínicas la más frecuente fue el dolor lumbar asociado con la presencia de una sepsis urinaria, el Proteus y la E. coli fueron los gérmenes más frecuentemente encontrados. Se señalan los diversos factores causales, y se insiste en la presencia de dos factores principales que son: la litiasis renoureteral y la sepsis urinaria