The application and efficacy of modified early unclamping technique in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for patients with renal tumors / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of modified early unclamping technique in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for patients with renal tumors.Methods:A total of 32 renal tumor patients undergoing RAPN with modified early unclamping technique between January 2019 and August 2020 were retrospectively collected, including 18 males and 14 females. The average age was (48.5±11.2) years old, average BMI was (23.8±3.7) kg/m 2, average tumor size was (4.2±1.4)cm with 18 left tumors and 14 right tumors, average R. E.N.A.L. score was 7.6±0.4, and average preoperative eGFR was (84.0±18.6)ml/(min·1.73 m 2). The control group included 66 renal tumor patients undergoing RAPN with standard unclamping technique during the same period by the same surgeon, including 42 males and 24 females. The average age was (50.2±13.8) years old, average BMI was (24.0±4.5)kg/m 2, average tumor size was (4.1±1.6)cm with 35 left tumors and 31 right tumors, average R. E.N.A.L. score was 7.5±0.5, and average preoperative eGFR was (82.8±20.2) ml/(min·1.73 m 2). There was no significant difference in above variables between two groups. Modified early unclamping technique used barbed wire to continually suture 2-3 needles in a short time to close the large space at the outer after the inner suture, and then loosen the blocking clip to restore renal blood supply. The operative time, warm ischemia time, blood loss, postoperative tube removal time, postoperative hospital stay and 3 months postoperative renal function of two groups were compared. Results:All of the 98 RAPN were performed successfully and no patient was converted to radical nephrectomy or open surgery. There was no significant difference in operation time [(120.9±22.8)vs.(111.6±25.0)min, P=0.079], postoperative tube removal time [(4.0±0.6)day vs.(3.8±0.8) day, P=0.214] and postoperative hospital stay [(5.1±0.7)day vs.(5.2±0.5) day, P=0.419] between the two groups. Compared with the standard unclamping group, the modified early unclamping group had obvious less warm ischemia time [(13.5±3.6)min vs.(21.2±4.4) min, P<0.001]. There was no difference in intraoperative estimated blood loss between two groups (110 ml vs. 100 ml, P=0.480). No blood transfusion, urine leakage, postoperative hemorrhage occurred in either group. The 3 months postoperative renal function decline of modified early unclamping group was slightly less than standard unclamping group [(10.5±7.6)ml/(min·1.73m 2)vs.(13.2±6.4) ml/(min·1.73m 2)], but did not reach statistical significance ( P=0.069). The median follow-up period was 12.4 months(4-24 months) without any recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions:The modified early unclamping technique in RAPN for patients with renal tumors is safe and feasible. Compared with the standard unclamping technique, the modified early unclamping technique could shorten the warm ischemia time without increasing blood loss and complications, and might protect the postoperative renal function, which has high value in clinical practice.