RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The hemostasis and closure of the collecting system are still problems to be overcome during a partial nephrectomy. Herein, our initial experience of a parenchymal compression technique, without clamping of the renal pedicle during an open partial nephrectomy, is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2000 and August 2005, 10 patients underwent an open partial nephrectomy, without pedicle clamping, for a renal mass. The open partial nephrectomy was performed under regional ischemia, which was achieved by parenchymal compression using a long curved vascular clamp. Several parameters were retrospectively assessed, including the tumor size, location, pathology, estimated blood loss, preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine, complications, and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: The mean mass size was 23.8mm, ranging between 12 and 55mm, and the tumors were located in the upper, mid and lower poles in 2, 3 and 4 cases, respectively. Pathological examinations revealed renal cell carcinomas in 6, an angiomyolipoma in 1, and complicated renal cysts in 3 patients. In all the patients with renal cell carcinoma, the frozen and permanent sections analyses confirmed negative margins. There were no differences between the preoperative and postoperative creatinine levels, with no significant complications observed, including urinary leak and bleeding, during the recovery period. No patient developed a local recurrence or distant metastasis during the mean follow-up period of 17.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is simple, and can be easily practiced by any urological surgeon, without concerns relating to the ischemic time and complications. It is suggested that the regional parenchymal compression is an efficient technique for hemostasis and repair of the collecting system during an open partial nephrectomy.