title: Nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumours: acceleration and facilitation of the laparoscopic technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Present our surgical technique for and experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for renal tumours during warm ischaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients underwent LPN during warm ischaemia via a transperitoneal four-trocar approach. Mean tumour size was 26.2+/-7.3mm (range: 11-39 mm). Sixteen tumours were exophytic, 7 endophytic, and 2 central. The renal vessels were secured by an umbilical tape and occluded by a self-made Rumel tourniquet. Tumours were excised with a cold Endo-shear. The interstitial tissue and collecting system was closed using a running suture secured by two resorbable clips. Parenchymal edges were approximated using a running suture over a haemostatic bolster. The threads were secured by non-resorbable clips. During follow-up, renal function was evaluated by determination of serum creatinine, (99m)Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine scintigraphy, and parenchymal transit time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ischaemia time was 28.9+/-5.2 min (range: 19-40 min) and the mean blood loss was 177.4+/-285.5 ml (range: 50-1500 ml). No intraoperative complications occurred and no patient needed conversion to open surgery. Surgical margins were negative in all patients. One postoperative surgical-related perirenal haematoma occurred, which was treated conservatively (no transfusions required). None of the patients had a urinary leak. During a mean follow-up of 6.2 mo (range: 1-15 mo), none of the patients had local or port-site recurrence or distant metastasis. Parenchymal transit time was increased in 1 of 10 investigated patients (ischaemia time: 26 min), indicating ischaemic parenchymal damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our technical refinements for LPN during warm ischaemia have widened indications to more complex tumours. The use of clips rather than knot tying made the procedure easier and faster and allowed completion of the suturing during an acceptable warm ischaemia time. The self-made Rumel tourniquet is safe and efficient for vessel control and occlusion. These improvements increase feasibility so that LPN can be used by more laparoscopic urologic surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Elisabethinen Hospital Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Häcker
authors.forename: Ansad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albadour
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jauker
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ziegerhofer
authors.forename: Nasser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Albquami
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leeb
authors.forename: Guenter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Janetschek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D009399:Nephrons; D052096:Warm Ischemia