title: Results of laparoscopic cryoablation in the treatment of small renal masses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Study of clinical outcome in renal cryoablation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) is emerging as a reliable treatment option for small renal masses (SRMs) particularly in elderly patients. Our aim was to study the results of cryoablation for small renal masses in our cohort of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent LCA for SRMs between September 2005 and July 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were discussed in our multidisciplinary meeting prior to cryoablation. Our LCA protocol included two freeze-thaw cycles, achieving a core temperature of -70°C and a peripheral temperature of at least -40°C. Follow-up included serum creatinine measurements and pre- and postcontrast CT scans at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and yearly thereafter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired samples t-test was used to study statistical difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients underwent LCA with a mean (range) age of 68 (39-81 years) years. The mean (range) tumor size was 29 (19-45 mm) mm. Two patients required blood transfusions, one patient developed pneumonia, and another patient developed a small area of skin necrosis at the cryoneedle entry site. The average (range) hospital stay was 4 (2-14 days) days. Twenty-one patients have had CT follow-up at a mean (range) of 24 (4-42 months) months. Three of the 21 tumors showed central enhancement on follow-up CT scans, consistent with treatment failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic cryoablation is a safe treatment option for SRM in a selected group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, UK.
authors.forename: Kanagasabai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahadevan
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dominguez-Escrig
authors.forename: Pallavi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johnson