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A Novel Three-dimensional Planning Tool for Selective Clamping During Partial Nephrectomy: Validation of a Perfusion
Pieter De Backer1, Saar Vermijs2, Charles Van Praet3
1Department of Urology, ERN eUROGEN Accredited Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; IBiTech-Biommeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent Belgium; ORSI Academy, Melle, Belgium.
Background:
Selective clamping during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) requires extensive knowledge on patient-specific renal vasculature, obtained through imaging.
Objective:
To validate an in-house developed perfusion zone algorithm that provides patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) renal perfusion information.
Design, Setting, And Participants:
Between October 2020 and June 2022, 25 patients undergoing RAPN at Ghent University Hospital were included. Three-dimensional models, based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, showed the clamped artery's ischemic zone, as calculated by the algorithm.
Surgical Procedure:
All patients underwent selective clamping during RAPN. Indocyanine green (ICG) was administered to visualize the true ischemic zone perioperatively. Surgery was recorded for a postoperative analysis.
Measurements:
The true ischemic zone of the clamped artery was compared with the ischemic zone predicted by the algorithm through two metrics: (1) total ischemic zone overlap and (2) tumor ischemic zone overlap. Six urologists assessed metric 1; metric 2 was assessed objectively by the authors.
Results And Limitations:
In 92% of the cases, the algorithm was sufficiently accurate to plan a selective clamping strategy. Metric 1 showed an average score of 4.28 out of 5. Metric 2 showed an average score of 4.14 out of 5. A first limitation is that ICG can be evaluated only at the kidney surface. A second limitation is that mainly patients with impaired renal function are expected to benefit from this technology, but contrast-enhanced CT is required at present.
Conclusions:
The proposed new tool demonstrated high accuracy when planning selective clamping for RAPN. A follow-up prospective study is needed to determine the tool's clinical added value.
Patient Summary:
In partial nephrectomy, the surgeon has no information on which specific arterial branches perfuse the kidney tumor. We developed a surgeon support system that visualizes the perfusion zones of all arteries on a three-dimensional model and indicates the correct arteries to clamp. In this study, we validate this tool.
