title: Retroperitoneoscopy-assisted cryoablation of renal tumors using multiple 1.5 mm ultrathin cryoprobes: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic cryoablation has recently been proposed as a minimally invasive nephron-sparing treatment for selected patients. We report on our experience with a retroperitoneoscopic technique using multiple ultrathin cryoprobes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic renal cryoablation for solid renal masses. Mean tumor size on the CT scan was 2.6 (1.5-3.5) cm. A double freeze-thaw cycle of renal cryoablation was performed under real-time ultrasound monitoring using a total of six 1.5-mm cryoprobes simultaneously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cryoablation was technically successful in all patients without any need for conversion. Mean duration of surgery was 161 (130-195) minutes and mean blood loss was 107 (50-250) ml. Perioperative biopsy of the tumor confirmed renal cell carcinoma in four patients and angiomyolipoma in two patients; it was inconclusive in one case. Mean follow-up for 13.6 (4-22) months showed no evidence of residual tumor or recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retroperitoneoscopy-assisted cryosurgical ablation using multiple ultrathin 1.5-mm cryoprobes is a minimally invasive treatment that is suitable to treat small renal tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Basel University Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. bachmanna@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: Tullio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sulser
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jayet
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyler
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruszat
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gasser
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siebels
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casella
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged