The Initial Experience with 3rd Generation Nephron-sparing Cryoablation for Renal Tumor / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report here on our initial experience with 3rd generation nephron-sparing renal cryoablation, which is one of the minimal invasive nephron-sparing surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 10 patients who had renal neoplasm identified on computed tomography (CT) and who underwent 3rd generation cryoablation from August 2004 to May 2006. The operative indications were a tumor less than 4cm in diameter, an exophytic mass with malignant potential and those cases like solitary kidney, bilateral tumor or renal insufficiency that needed preservation of renal function. Eight patients underwent minimal incision open cryoablation, and the other two underwent laparoscopic cryoablation. In every case, there were 2-3 cycles of freeze and thawing and we monitored the tumor and ice ball via intraoperative ultrasound. RESULTS: The size of the iceball was maintained more than 1cm apart from the margin of the tumor to secure a safety margin. The average operation time of open cryoablation was 1.7 hr and that of laparoscopic cryoablation was 2.2 hr; the average blood loss was 194cc and 55cc, respectively. The average period of hospitalization after operation was 6.6 days and 3 days, respectively, and there was no complication except for one patient who had postoperative pulmonary effusion. During a mean follow-up of 14.1 months, no patient died and all the patients except one remained without local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of our initial experience, renal cryoablation turned out to have an excellent effect of tumor erradication and few complications. Although long term follow-up results are necessary, laparoscopic renal cryoablation is considered a minimal invasive nephron- sparing surgery that could be substituted for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in the future.