title: Identifying unrecognized collecting system entry and the integrity of repair during open partial nephrectomy: comparison of two techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare retrograde dye injection through an externalized ureteral catheter with direct needle injection of dye into proximal ureter for identification of unrecognized collecting system disruption and integrity of subsequent repair during open partial nephrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the records of 259 consecutive patients who underwent open partial nephrectomy. Externalized ureteral catheters were placed preoperatively in 110 patients (Group 1); needle injection of methylene blue directly into proximal ureter was used in 120 patients (Group 2). No assessment of the collecting system was performed in 29 patients (Group 3). We compared intraoperative parameters, tumor characteristics, collecting system entry and incidence of urine leaks among the three groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean tumor diameter was 3.1 cm in Group 1, 3.6cm in Group 2, and 3.8 cm in Group 3 (p = 0.04); mean EBL 320cc, 351 cc and 376cc (p = 0.5); mean operative time 193.5 minutes, 221 minutes and 290 minutes (p < 0.001). Collecting system entry was recognized in 63%, 76% and 38% of cases in Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. (p = 0.07). Postoperative urine leaks requiring some form of management occurred in 11 patients from group 1 and 6 from group 2. (p = 0.2). No patient in Group 3 developed a urinary leak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of unrecognized collecting system disruption as well as postoperative urine leak rate in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy were not influenced by the intraoperative technique of identifying unrecognized collecting system entry. Postoperative urine leaks are uncommon despite recognized collecting system disruption in the majority of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Sandhya R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moussly
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Philippe E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Spiess
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Wade J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D062885:Urinary Catheters; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000209:etiology