Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for cancer with level I renal vein involvement.
OBJECTIVE
Venous involvement develops in 5% to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma and is generally considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. To our knowledge we report the initial clinical series of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma associated with level I renal vein thrombus.


METHODS
At our 2 institutions 8 patients each underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for level I microscopic renal vein thrombus (group 1) and level I gross thrombus (group 2). In all 8 group 2 patients the level I thrombus was preoperatively diagnosed by computerized tomography. Mean renal tumor size in groups 1 and 2 was 7.8 and 12.4 cm., respectively. After controlling the renal artery the renal vein was secured by firing an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler on its collapsed, uninvolved proximal part adjacent to the vena cava. Intraoperative, postoperative and pathological parameters were assessed in the 2 groups.


RESULTS
In group 1 laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was technically successful in all 8 patients. Mean operative time was 3.1 hours, mean estimated blood loss was 382 cc and mean hospital stay was 1.9 days. In 1 patient each a soft tissue and a vascular margin was positive for cancer. At a mean follow up of 19.5 months (range 2 to 36) metastatic disease occurred in 3 cases (38%). In group 2 laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was technically successful in 7 cases with open conversion in 1. Mean operative time was 3.3 hours, mean estimated blood loss was 354 cc and mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. Surgical soft tissue and the renal vein vascular margin of the transected vein were negative for cancer in all 8 cases. At a mean followup of 9.4 months (range 5 to 16) pulmonary metastasis developed in 1 patient (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is an advanced procedure, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in patients with level I renal vein thrombus is feasible, safe and follows established oncological principles.
Desai
Mihir M
MM
Section of Laparoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Urological Institute, A100, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Gill
Inderbir S
IS
Ramani
Anup P
AP
Matin
Surena F
SF
Kaouk
Jihad H
JH
Campero
Jose Miguel
JM
D000328:Adult; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012082:Renal Veins; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*