title: Bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy for significantly enlarged polycystic kidneys: a technique to optimize outcome in the largest of specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience with bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy (BLN) for symptomatic autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), as surgical management of massively enlarged polycystic kidneys can be a daunting task.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing BLN for ADPKD. Patient demographics, indications for the procedure, perioperative data, and pathological data were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 12 patients underwent BLN at our institution; eight were performed before transplant, three after transplant, and one with a concomitant kidney transplant. Indications for surgery included abdominal pain, fullness and early satiety, recurrent urinary tract infections, and need for space for future transplant. The mean patient age was 49.6 years, with a body mass index of 27.0 kg/m(2). The mean operative duration was 214 min, estimated blood loss was 169 mL, and the hospital stay was 4 days. There were no conversions to open surgery. The mean (range) pathological kidney mass was 2243 (656-4200) g on the left and 2379 (789-5042) g on the right. No patients with a previous renal transplant had deterioration in postoperative renal function. There was one minor intraoperative complication, one postoperative complication, and one patient with preoperative anaemia required a blood transfusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic patients with ADPKD due to massively enlarged kidneys should be considered for BLN when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. This includes patients with an existing renal allograft and candidates for concomitant transplantation. The approach should be tailored to avoid injury to adjacent structures secondary to displacement from the mass effect of these kidneys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
authors.forename: Premal J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Erik P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.forename: Shane M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: Scott K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ferrigni
authors.forename: Mitchell R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome