title: Zero ischaemia partial nephrectomy: a call for standardized nomenclature and functional outcomes.
abstract: Nephron-sparing surgery for the removal of small renal masses delivers equivalent oncological outcomes and better functional outcomes compared with those associated with radical nephrectomy. All contemporary partial nephrectomy techniques including open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches involve the use of hilar clamping in order to facilitate haemostasis, and to enable accurate tumour excision and parenchymal reconstruction. Zero ischaemia was subsequently introduced as a technique to eliminate the renal ischaemia induced by hilar clamping. Following the introduction of zero ischaemia techniques, researchers have arbitrarily applied this term to techniques ranging from no use of clamping to selective clamping of renal arteries and/or veins, or their branches. Substantial variations exist in the way that zero ischaemia and other renal preservation techniques are described in the literature. Similarly, further diversity exists in the measurement and reporting of functional outcomes after surgery. The introduction of standard and reproducible classifications or guidelines will ensure consistency and uniformity. Establishing consensus on the terminology used to describe techniques and functional outcomes will not only facilitate improved communication and surgical practice, but will also enable critical appraisal of surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital &Sabah Al Ahmad Urology Centre, PO Box 43787, State of Kuwait.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alenezi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery - Urology Clinic, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 35100, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novara
authors.affiliation: OLV Vattikuti Robotic Surgery Institute, Campus Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300 Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mottrie
authors.affiliation: Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK.
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Buheissi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karim
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D009626:Terminology as Topic