The margin strategy in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with selective renal artery clamping: Anatomical basis, surgical technique and comparative outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the possibility and efficiency of a modified margin strategy in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with selective renal artery clamping.

Methods: Seventy-six cases of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with segmental renal artery clamping in Shanghai Changhai Hospital between July 2014 and September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant clinical data were recorded including baseline patient and tumor characteristics, and surgical outcomes (segmental artery mobilization time, operating time, warm ischemic time, estimated blood loss, complications, and so on). A comparative analysis between standard technique and margin strategy was performed.

Results: In 38 cases, margin strategy to mobilize segmental artery was successfully performed. In the other 38 cases, the surgery was performed in traditional method. The use of new strategy led to a shortened segmental artery mobilization time (5 min vs 12 min, p < 0.001). There was no difference in terms of perioperative complications between the two techniques.

Conclusions: The margin strategy is a practical method in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with selective renal artery clamping. It provides a simplified way of finding segmental arteries. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Keywords: Laparoscopy; Margin strategy; Partial nephrectomy; Segmental artery.