[Horseshoe kidney tumor laparoscopic surgery. First 19 cases]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common congenital upper urinary tract anomaly.
• Renal cell cancer (RCC) in HSK is rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported by 2012.
• Laparoscopic partial nephrectomies and heminephrectomies for RCC in HSK are infrequently described.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic surgery for renal tumors in patients with horseshoe kidney.
• To conduct a multicenter retrospective analysis of surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 19 conventional laparoscopic interventions for RCC in HSK were performed between January 2013 and December 2018.
• Procedures included 1 isthmusectomy, 5 partial nephrectomies, and 13 heminefrectomies.
• 16 isthmus divisions were also performed in 15 patients.

Main Results:

• No conversions to open surgery, mortality, or Clavien grade 3+ complications occurred.
• Warm ischemia time for partial nephrectomy was under 19 minutes.
• Follow-up at 6 months showed no disease recurrence or progression.

Conclusions:

• While limited by small numbers, this study represents the largest reported laparoscopic experience for RCC in HSK.
• Conventional laparoscopic techniques appear effective and safe for treating RCC in HSK.
• Further multicenter studies are needed for definitive statistical analysis.