Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in Duplex Kidneys in Infants and Children. Results of a European Multicentric Survey

Seance of wednesday 28 january 2015 (CHIRURGIE ENDOCRINIENNE)

Abstract

Objective: We aim to report a 5-years retrospective multicentric European survey about the outcome of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in infants and children with duplex kidneys.Methods: The data of fifty-two children underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (42 upper-pole nephrectomies [UPN] and 10 lower pole nephrectomies [LoPN]) in 6 European centers of Pediatric Surgery, were collected and analyzed. Median age at surgery was 5.1 years (range 6 months – 9.7 years). There were 32 girls and 20 boys. In 37 patients the left side was affected and in 15 patients the right side. For the right side 4 trocars were used, for the left side 3/4 trocars. Special hemostatic devices were used for dissection and parenchymal section in all centers. We assessed intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. Results: Median length of surgery was 166.2 min (70 – 215 min). No conversion to open surgery neither intraoperative bleeding was reported. Mean hospitalization was 3.5 days. We recorded 10/52 complications (4 urinomas, 2 recurrent UTIs, 4 prolonged urinary leakage), all managed conservatively. Reoperation rate was 0%. No loss of renal function on the residual kidney moiety was recorded in all operated patients.Conclusions: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy remains a technically challenging procedure performed only in pediatric centers with high experience in minimally-invasive surgery (MIS). Despite the median operative time was higher than 2 hours, we recorded no conversions in our series. The complication rate remains high (10/52 -19.2%). All were II grade complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification and were treated conservatively without the need of other surgical procedures.