title: Laparoscopic specimen extraction: morcellation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our experience with intact extraction and morecellation of nephrectomy specimen, and the advantages and disadvantages of morcellation indicated by current reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a previous study, 56 consecutive patients undergoing radical and simple transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy were prospectively evaluated. Morcellation specimens (33) were extracted at the umbilical or lateral port sites and intact specimens (23) through an infraumbilical incision. Data were obtained on pathology, narcotic requirements, hospital stay, complications, estimated blood loss, size of renal mass based on preoperative imaging, specimen weight and extraction incision length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean incision length was 1.2 cm in the morcellation group and 7.1 cm in the intact group (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in pain or recovery between the groups. In two cases of tumor nephrectomy, microscopic invasion of the perinephric adipose tissue in the intact specimen group were up-staged from clinical T1 to pT3a disease; there was no change in patient treatment based on this information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With proper technique, morcellation is safe for extracting renal tumours. The specimen can be evaluated for histology but not for pathological staging, limiting its use with transitional cell carcinoma. Port-site seeding is rare, and does not appear to be more frequent than with open nephrectomy. Although morcellation is cosmetically more desirable, there was no significant advantage in operating time, pain or duration of hospital stay. The choice od extraction method depends on the surgeon's preference and patient choice.
authors.affiliation: The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Baltimore, MD 21287-8915, USA.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varkarakis
authors.forename: Khoon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Louis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kavoussi
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Jarrett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*