title: Outcome of laser-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without ischaemia for peripheral renal tumours.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of clamp-off laser-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy technique (LLPN) compared to the clamp-off laparoscopic (LPN) and open (OPN) techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2008 and July 2011, 36 patients suffering from small peripheral renal tumours (RT) underwent LLPN (n = 12), LPN (n = 12) and OPN (n = 12) in a prospective single-centre study. RT were excised with laser, Sonosurg or monopolar scissors during LLPN, LPN and OPN, respectively. Blood vessels are identified and sutured before opening them; alternatively, laser energy was used to coagulate them (LLPN). Early and late postoperative complications were assessed. Follow-up was done according to EAU-guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 64.9 years. Mean operative time was 135.8 min (100-180) versus 144.2 (85-255) versus 113.6 (50-170) for LLPN versus LPN versus OPN, respectively. Median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 170.8 ml (50-600) versus 245.2 (50-700) versus 425.8 (100-900) for LLPN versus LPN versus OPN, respectively. Tumours (19 right and 17 left) were located in upper (11), midparenchyma (13) and lower pole (12). Mean tumour size was 2.7 cm (1.2-5.5). There were no reported perioperative complications/conversions. There were no positive margins. Histological evaluations were not compromised in any LLPN-case. Compared to LPN, LLPN offered significant lower EBL, shorter operative time, otherwise, comparable results. Follow-up was uneventful without tumour recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current prospective comparative study shows that LLPN is a reproducible efficient alternative to LPN/OPN. Besides the absence of renal ischaemia, LLPN offered lower EBL, good haemostasis and minimal parenchyma damage. Surgical and oncological outcomes are comparable to LPN and OPN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Munich-Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. wael.khoder@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Wael Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Khoder
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sroka
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siegert
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stief
authors.forename: Armin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome