Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Radical Nephrectomy for Renal Masses with Level I and II Thrombus

We aimed to report surgical and oncological outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with level I and II thrombus treated with laparoscopic transperitoneal radical nephrectomy.

Medical records of 13 patients were reviewed retrospectively in a single center between 2005 and 2017. Hem-o-lok^® clips were used to secure renal artery and renal vein, excluding 2 patients with an attached thrombus on the right side.

Seven male and 6 female patients were treated laparoscopically, and conversion to open surgery was not required in any case. The mean age was 61.6 ± 7.8 years (range 45 to 75 years) and the mean body mass index was 27 ± 4.6 kg/m² (range 18.8 to 34.5 kg/m²). Median tumor size was 9.5 × 7.3 cm (range 5 to 14 cm) and 5 patients who had preoperative metastases underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy. The mean operative time was 137.6 ± 45.8 minutes (range 60 to 200 minutes) and blood loss was 105 ± 34.9 mL (range 50 to 150 mL). The mean hospital stay was 4.4 ± 3.9 days (range 1 to 15 days). Splenic capsular injury occurred in 1 patient and the vena cava was injured in another. Three patients needed blood transfusions. The mean follow-up period was 25 months (range 12 to 86 months).

Laparoscopic transperitoneal radical nephrectomy can be reliable option for surgical management of RCC with level I and II thrombus in experienced centers.