Laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for two or more ipsilateral renal tumors

To review our experience with laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery in the management of two or more synchronous, ipsilateral renal masses. Minimally invasive nephron-sparing procedures are increasingly used for the treatment of select patients with a single, small renal tumor.

Since 1998, we have performed laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery in 288 consecutive patients, including laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (n = 200) and renal cryotherapy (n = 88). Of these, 13 patients (4.5%) were treated for synchronous ipsilateral renal masses.

A total of 27 renal tumors were treated in 13 patients. The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the treatment. Group 1 (n = 3) underwent en-bloc laparoscopic partial nephrectomy encompassing both tumors; group 2 (n = 2) underwent individual laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of discrete masses during the same procedure; group 3 (n = 2) had one mass treated with partial nephrectomy and the other mass treated with cryotherapy; and group 4 (n = 6) had all tumors treated with cryotherapy. All cases were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery or laparoscopic nephrectomy. The mean overall operative time was 4.3 hours, and the mean blood loss was 169 mL. No intraoperative complications occurred. Three patients had postoperative complications, none requiring re-exploration. One patient in group 4 developed de novo tumors in the treated kidney, located distant from the cryoablated sites.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an emerging, efficacious laparoscopic treatment option for select patients. Laparoscopic cryotherapy is a useful alternative or adjunct to partial nephrectomy. The judicious combination of these complementary techniques further extends the scope of minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery.