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Biomedical subjects

A Hoznek

Publications and source records attributed to A Hoznek.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Treatment of pheochromocytomas with retroperitoneal laparoscopy].

OBJECTIVES: Although laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become one of the techniques of choice for the treatment of adrenal tumours, this technique has not been widely used to treat phaeochromocytoma due to the risks of hypertension before control of the adrenal vein. The authors report their experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1995 to December 1999, 10 (5 right, 5 left) retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed for symptomatic phaeochromocytoma, in 4 men and 6 women, aged 40 to 67 years (mean: 51 years). In every case, the phaeochromocytoma had been diagnosed by elevated urinary catecholamines, abdominopelvic CT scan and positive MIBG scintigraphy. RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery. The mean operating time was 116 minutes (range: 100 to 140 minutes). Mean blood loss was 180 ml (range: 0 to 550 ml) and none of the patients were transfused. In one case, an injury to the adrenal vein was repaired intraoperatively. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days (range: 1 to 12 days). The mean diameter of the lesion was 38 mm (range: 15 to 110 mm). Postoperative complications occurred in two cases (one haematoma and one incisional hernia repaired one year later). With a mean follow-up of 21.6 months (range: 6 to 46 months), all patients had normal urinary catecholamine levels and 9 had a normal blood pressure with no antihypertensive therapy. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed for small phaeochromocytomas (less than 5 cm). Retroperitoneal laparoscopy is a direct approach which allows the surgeon to control the adrenal vein first in order to avoid hypertensive crises.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

[Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery and carcinogenic risk].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the development of metastasis at trocar sites, local recurrence and distance metastases associated with retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery performed in the context of a malignant tumour. METHODS: From 1994 to 1999, 228 retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgical operations were performed in our centre. Fifty six operations (24.6%) were performed for malignant tumours and comprised 41 radical nephrectomies and 8 partial nephrectomies for renal tumour and 7 nephro-ureterectomies for upper urinary tract tumours. The pathological stage and surgical margins were correlated with TNM 1997 stage. Postoperative data were obtained by physical and radiological examination performed one month and three months after the operation and then every six months. Metastases at the trocar site, local recurrences and distant metastases were investigated. The specific progression-free survival was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 24.9 +/- 13.85 months. All patients had tumour-free surgical margins. No trocar site metastasis was observed. For retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomies: one patient developed a local recurrence with liver metastases 9 months after the operation (pT3G2) and died 19.7 months after the operation. One patient with a pT3G3M+ renal tumour at the time of diagnosis died 23.1 months after radical nephrectomy with no signs of local recurrence. For laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephro-ureterectomies: one patient with a pT3G3 lesion developed a local recurrence at 12.1 months and died 26.6 months after surgery. One patient with a pT1G2 tumour developed bone metastases at 9 months and died 29 months after the operation. The recurrence-free survival at 54 months was 91% for radical nephrectomies, 71% at 30 months for nephro-ureterectomies and 100% at 49 months for partial nephrectomies. CONCLUSION: Malignant tumours of the upper urinary tract can be managed by retroperitoneal laparoscopy. The short-term results suggest that this surgical technique is not associated with an increased risk of trocar site metastases or local recurrence and that recurrence-free survival rates comparable to those reported in series of conventional surgery.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed2001

Experience with retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 115 procedures.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become an effective option for removing small adrenal tumors. We evaluated the retroperitoneal approach with regard to operative complications, morbidity and hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and March 2000 we performed a total of 115 laparoscopic adrenalectomies via the retroperitoneal approach, including 70 on the left and 45 on the right side, in 64 women and 42 men 17 to 74 years old (mean age 49.3) with adrenal neoplasms. Average adrenal tumor size was 31 mm. (range 10 to 65). All procedures required 4 trocars and mean operative time was 118 minutes (range 45 to 240). RESULTS: There were no patient deaths. The conversion rate to open surgery was 0.8% and estimated blood loss was 77 ml. (range 0 to 550). At a mean followup of 23.4 months, morbidity was 15.5% with intraoperative vascular injury in 3 cases (3.4%) and postoperative complications in 12.1%, including wound infection, deep hematoma, parietal dehiscence and severe pneumopathy. Average hospital stay was 4 days and mean duration of analgesic requirement was 2 days (range 1 to 5). CONCLUSIONS: The retroperitoneal approach to laparoscopic adrenalectomy appears to be minimally invasive and safe for adrenal tumors not larger than 5 cm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Early removal of the catheter after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We prospectively tested the safety of routine removal of the catheter as early as 2 to 4 days after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1998 and March 2001, 228 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for clinically organ confined prostate cancer. The last 113 consecutive patients were included in a prospective study according to gravitational cystography performed 2 to 4 days postoperatively. If no leak was seen the catheter was removed. If a leak was apparent the catheter was left indwelling for another 6 days and cystography was repeated. RESULTS: Cystography 2 to 4 days postoperatively showed an anastomosis without a leak in 96 (84.9%) patients who subsequently had the catheters removed. There were 28 patients who had the catheter removed on postoperative day 2, 28 day 3 and 40 day 4. In 17 (15.1%) patients an anastomotic leak was observed, and the catheter was not removed at that time. Of the 96 patients in whom the catheter was removed early 10 (10.4%) had urinary retention that necessitated re-catheterization. This procedure was performed without the need for cystoscopy. After the catheter was removed all patients were able to void 24 hours later. Median followup was 7 months (range 1 to 15) and showed continence rates greater than 93%. No anastomotic stricture, pelvic abscess or urinoma developed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo laparoscopic radical prostatectomy can have the catheter safely removed 2 to 4 days postoperatively without a higher risk of incontinence, stricture or leak related problems.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

T helper 1/2 lymphocyte urinary cytokine profiles in responding and nonresponding patients after 1 and 2 courses of bacillus Calmette-Guerin for superficial bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma are released during T helper 1 lymphocyte responses and IL-10 is released during T helper 2 lymphocyte responses. We have previously reported that a T helper 1 lymphocyte urinary cytokine profile is associated with a favorable prognosis after bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment. We evaluated the T helper 1/2 lymphocyte cytokine profiles during courses 1 and 2 of 6 weekly BCG instillations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urinary interferon-gamma, IL-2 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after each of 6 weekly instillations of 150 mg. BCG, Pasteur strain, in 19 patients with superficial stages Ta and T1 bladder cancer, and carcinoma in situ. The 11 patients who did not respond to course 1 were re-treated according to the same schedule and reevaluated. RESULTS: During course 1 interferon-gamma was higher than during course 2 (p <0.001), which was associated with nonrecurrence (p <0.001). In contrast, IL-2 cytokine was higher after course 2 (p <0.01), which was associated with a BCG response (p = 0.01). Interferon-gamma and IL-10 correlated during courses 1 and 2 (p = 0.04 and 0.0004, respectively). We distinguished groups 1-immediate T helper 1 lymphocyte profile consisting of responders to course 1 with high interferon-gamma, IL-2 and IL-10, 2-delayed T helper 1 lymphocyte profile consisting of responders to course 2 with early high IL-2 and 3-consisting of nonresponders to the 2 courses with low interferon-gamma, IL-2 and IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: A T helper 1 lymphocyte urinary cytokine profile was associated with a clinical response to BCG. A repeat BCG course induces a favorable immune response in a subset of patients, suggesting that maintenance therapy may be beneficial.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate our preliminary experience with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The indications for laparoscopy are currently being extended to complex oncologic procedures. METHODS: Forty-three men underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We used five trocars. The surgical technique replicates the steps of traditional retropubic prostatectomy, except that the rectoprostatic cleavage plane is developed transperitoneally at the beginning of the procedure. In the first 10 patients, we performed the vesicourethral reconstruction with interrupted sutures; in the remaining 33 patients, we performed it with two hemicircumferential running sutures. The specimen was removed through the umbilical port site. RESULTS: Once the developmental phase with the first 10 patients was concluded, the median operating time was 4.3 hours without pelvic lymphadenectomy, and the median postoperative bladder catheterization was 4 days. Two (4.7%) of 43 patients underwent transfusion. Twelve patients (27.9%) had positive surgical margins; all patients had a postoperative prostate-specific antigen level of less than 0.1 ng/mL at 1 month. Rectal injury occurred in 1 patient, requiring colostomy, and 4 patients had urethrovesical anastomotic leakages requiring surgical repair. One month postoperatively, 36 patients (84%) were fully continent (no leakage). Six patients had had erections, and four stated they had had sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has evolved to a fully standardized and reproducible procedure. The short-term oncologic and functional efficacy rates are equivalent to those for open surgery. The operating time is reasonable once the learning curve is over, and postoperative morbidity is diminished. Because of the improved visual accuracy, permitting more precise dissection, this technique has the potential to become an important advancement in urologic surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: initial experience in 15 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. METHODS: From September 1996 to January 1999, 15 patients underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Aberrant vessels were noted in 4 patients. Dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 7 patients and nondismembered Fenger plasty in 7 patients. Pyeloplasty was not possible in 1 patient. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 15 procedures were successfully completed. The procedure was not possible in 1 patient who had already undergone endopyelotomy repair. The mean operating time was 178 minutes (range 100 to 250), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.8 days (range 1 to 14). Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (two hematomas and one urinoma). Radiographic assessment by intravenous urography 3 months after the procedure showed good results. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopy, by providing easy and rapid access to the retroperitoneal space, seems to be a valuable alternative treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Low E-cadherin expression in bladder cancer at the transcriptional and protein level provides prognostic information.

We studied E-cadherin down-regulation at the protein level in frozen sections of 111 bladder tumours and 13 normal bladder specimens by means of immunohistochemistry, and at the mRNA level by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in 40 of the same tumours. Results indicate that E-cadherin expression detected by immunohistochemistry correlated with both stage and grade (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Analysis of recurrence, progression and survival over a mean period of 36 months after surgery in the entire cohort showed that abnormal E-cadherin immunoreactivity correlated strongly with poor outcome (log-rank test: P = 0.001, P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0003, respectively). In multistep logistic regression analysis, only E-cadherin status and stage had significant additional prognostic value (P= 0.008 and OR = 0.2; P= 0.03 and OR = 3.6, respectively). Survival estimates derived from RT-PCR transcript quantification differed significantly for low and high expression (log-rank test: P = 0.0006). These results suggest that the alteration occurs at the transcriptional level and support the clinical and biological relevance of cell adhesion molecules in bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vesicourethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: the running suture method.

Vesicourethral reconstruction is the most critical and time-consuming step of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We describe the use of two hemicircumferential running sutures that has significantly simplified the procedure in our last 30 patients. The vesicourethral reconstruction took 31 minutes on average. Six months postoperatively, 84% of the patients were fully continent, and no bladder neck stenosis had occurred. The economy of intracorporeal suturing provided by this novel method, together with geometric factors such as the optimal position of the trocars, contributes to the improvement of ergonomy, allowing the surgeon to decrease operating times.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Retropubic and perineal radical prostatectomy are used for curative treatment of localized prostate cancer. More complex urological procedures are now being done with laparoscopy. We present our initial results of transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty laparoscopic radical prostatectomies were performed between May 1998 and May 1999. The mean age at the time of surgery was 64.2 years. There were 14 stage T1c, 5 stage T2a and 1 stage T2b tumors. The preoperative PSA was 9. 3 ng/ml (normal <4 ng/ml). The Gleason score for positive specimens in 6 random echo-guided endorectal biopsies was 5.7. Four trocars were used. Insufflation pressure was 15 mmHg. The seminal vesicles were first dissected. The prostate was dissected free from the anterior face of the rectum to the prostate apex. Then the peritoneum was incised to find the apex of the prostate. The puboprostatic ligaments were isolated and cut, and the dorsal vein complex was ligated and cut to expose the urethra. The bladder neck was opened and dissected free from the prostate. The lateral pedicles were coagulated before sectioning the urethra. The radical prostatectomy specimen was left along the sigmoid colon, the bladder neck was reconstructed, and a urethrovesical anastomosis was performed with 6 interrupted sutures. The prostatectomy specimen was removed intact in a sack by enlarging the umbilical trocar port. All the prostatectomy specimens were processed according to the Standford protocol. Prostate weight, tumor weight, the Gleason score, and the tumor status of the capsule, seminal vesicles, lymph nodes and surgical margins were studied. RESULTS: The operating time was 385 min. Two patients were transfused. The mean hospital stay was 7. 8 days. The Foley catheter was removed 10.7 days after the operation. Specimen weight was 61 (28-126) g, the Gleason score was 5.9, and tumor volume was 1.4 ml. There were 18 stage pT2, 1 stage pTa (capsular effraction) and 1 stage pT3b (seminal vesicle invasion) tumors. There were four positive surgical margins (2 at the apex and 2 at the bladder neck). All the patients had a postoperative PSA level <0.1 ng/ml at 1 month. The first patient had urethrovesical anastomotic leakage, and required Foley catheterization for 21 days. There was 1 colostomy for rectal injury and 1 urinoma because of urethrovesical anastomotic leakage that required an open surgical procedure. One month after surgery, 15 (75%) patients were fully continent. Six patients had erections, and 5 stated having sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results show that radical prostatectomy can be performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy offered excellent vision of all the anatomical structures of the pelvis, permitting precise dissection. Long-term follow-up and further studies are required to confirm and improve these results.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Nondissection of pelvic lymph nodes does not influence the results of perineal radical prostatectomy in selected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective studies have shown that pelvic lymph node dissection can be dispensed with in selected men undergoing radical prostatectomy. We prospectively evaluated the influence of nondissection of pelvic lymph nodes on tumor progression in our first 100 perineal prostatectomies. METHODS: From October 1992 to February 1998, 100 patients underwent radical perineal prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Preoperative PSA, the Gleason score of positive biopsies and age at surgery were noted. Forty-three of the 100 patients (group 1) did not undergo pelvic lymph node dissection because their preoperative PSA level was below 10 ng/ml (Hybritech assay, normal value 4 ng/ml) and the Gleason score of their positive biopsies was below 7. These 43 patients were compared with 25 of the 114 patients operated on during the same period by the retropubic approach and who had pelvic node dissection and the same preoperative criteria (PSA <10 ng/ml and a Gleason score of positive biopsies <7; group 2). All prostatectomy specimens were processed according to the Stanford protocol: prostate weight, Gleason score, capsular, seminal vesicle, lymph node and surgical margin status, and tumor volume were studied. Postoperative followup was based on routine serum PSA assays after 1 and 3 months and then half-yearly. Biological progression was defined as PSA level which was detectable postoperatively (>/=0.2 ng/ml). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the likelihood of biochemical recurrence. Results were compared by using Fisher's test, the Mann-Whitney test and the log-rank test. Differences were considered significant when the p value was <0.05. RESULTS: No differences in preoperative characteristics were observed; in groups 1 and 2, mean age was 65.9 and 64.7 years, PSA was 6.7 and 5.11 ng/ml, and the Gleason biopsy score was 5.7 vs. 5.0, respectively. In groups 1 and 2, specimen weight was 44.5 and 54.3 g (p = 0.04), the Gleason score was 6.2 and 5.6, tumor volume was 0.91 and 0.8 ml, 81.4 and 84% of patients were in stage pT2, 13.9 and 12% had extracapsular disease, 4.6 and 0% had seminal vesicle invasion, and 13.9 and 16% had positive surgical margins, respectively. The mean follow-up was 2.74 years (0.27-5.59 years). The actuarial 5-year recurrence-free rate was 78% in group 1 and 80% in group 2 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The lack of pelvic lymph node dissection does not influence the intermediate term results of perineal radical prostatectomy in selected patients (preoperative PSA <10 ng/ml and Gleason score for positive biopsies <7).

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Remote laparoscopic radical prostatectomy carried out with a robot. Report of a case].

Robotics has been commonly employed in numerous industrial fields for several decades. However, the application of this technology to surgery is a recent innovation. It provides new possibilities for facilitating specific surgical tasks, especially in the field of laparoscopy. We report a case of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy completed with the help of a remotely controlled da Vinci robot. This system offered a user friendly surgical platform and enhanced surgical dexterity. Operating time was 420 minutes and the hospital stay was 4 days. The bladder catheter was removed after 3 days. One week later, the patient was fully continent. Pathologic examination showed a pT3a tumor, with negative margins. Robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is feasible. Further developments in this field of technology may have new applications in laparoscopic telesurgery.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed2000

[Nephrectomy in a living donor by retroperitoneal laparoscopy or lomboscopy].

INTRODUCTION: The advantages of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy are now well documented. This new approach can lower donor morbidity and could stimulate living related organ donation. We described our original operative technique and report our preliminary results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1998, we have used the retroperitoneal laparoscopy in tree related living donors. Advantages and inconvenient of this new surgical procedure were discussed with each donors and inform consent obtained. The left kidney was harvested in the three cases. RESULTS: The operative time was inferior to 280 minutes, warm ischemia less than five minutes and bleeding less than 150 mL. Patients were discharged between the 2nd and 3rd post-operative days. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal laparoscopy is a valuable alternative in transplant centres with skilled laparoscopic surgeons.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Partial nephrectomy with retroperitoneal laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy has gradually gained acceptance for a variety of ablative procedures of the retroperitoneal organs, and the indications are being extended to more complex reconstructive and organ preserving procedures. We report our experience with retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed for benign conditions in 6, equivocal solid masses in 4 and indeterminate cysts in 3 patients. If malignancy was suspected, laparoscopic sonography was used to assess the intrarenal anatomy and the mass. To facilitate parenchymal closure during nephron sparing surgery we used a hemostatic biological glue that consisted of gelatin, resorcinol and formaldehyde. RESULTS: Average operating time was 113 minutes and average blood loss was 72 ml. Histological examination revealed malignancy in 1 of the 3 cystic lesions and 2 of the 4 equivocal solid masses. There were 2 postoperative urinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Partial nephrectomy with retroperitoneal laparoscopy is feasible, and has a reasonable operating time and blood loss. Laparoscopic ultrasound was an important decision making aid during surgery. The use of biological glue simplified hemostasis and closure of the collecting system but good quality drainage of the collecting system is still required to decrease the risk of urinoma. The development of surgical tools that allow bloodless and nontraumatic section of the renal parenchyma is required to facilitate laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery. The ultrasonic scalpel needs further evaluation in this setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Is open surgery for partial nephrectomy an obsolete surgical procedure?

During the past few years, the indications for laparoscopic surgery in urology have extended from simple ablative procedures towards more complex reconstructive and organ-preserving interventions. Among them, transperitoneal and extraperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy have been successfully performed for both benign and malignant lesions. However, this approach raises specific problems because in contrast to other laparoscopic procedures the techniques and tools used during open surgery can not be simply transposed to laparoscopy. The absence of surface hypothermia, the lack of manual palpation, difficulties of vascular control and reconstruction of the collecting system necessitate new solutions readily adaptable to laparoscopic surgery. However, the available series comprise only a few cases, and there are differences in techniques and instrumentation in almost every operation. In these circumstances, it is too early to consider this new approach as reproducible and ready to be used elsewhere than in specialized centres. Although the feasibility and good results of partial nephrectomy for benign conditions and small exophitic tumours is now well documented, the development of new surgical tools and standardization of methodology are required for more complex cases within the scope of well conceived prospective studies.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed1999

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We analyze the retroperitoneal approach to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in regard to feasibility, safety, morbidity and cancer control, and compare results and outcomes in patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic or open radical nephrectomy from 1995 to 1998. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 58 consecutive patients with renal cancer who underwent radical nephrectomy from 1995 through 1998 were reviewed. Of the patients 29 underwent open radical nephrectomy (group 1) and 29 underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (group 2). Various parameters were compared and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in regard to age, gender and side of the tumor. Operative time was slightly shorter in group 1 (mean 121.4 versus 145 minutes in group 2, p = 0.047). Mean tumor size plus or minus standard deviation was larger in group 1 (5.71 +/- 2.01 versus 4.02 +/- 1.87 cm. in group 2). Group 2 patients had significantly less operative blood loss (mean 100.0 versus 284.5 ml. in group 1, p < 0.005) and used significantly less parenteral pain medication (p < 0.05). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in group 1 (9.7 +/- 3.6 versus 4.8 +/- 2.0 days in group 2, p < 0.001), and the complication rate was higher (24 versus 8%, respectively). One group 1 patient died of renal cancer (pT2G2) after 14 months and local recurrence with hepatic metastasis occurred after 9 months in a group 2 patient with a pT3G2 tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for kidney cancer requires further assessment. It seems to have several advantages over open radical nephrectomy, and to be effective and safe for less than 50 cm. renal tumors but a risk of spillage cannot be ruled out for larger tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Retrospective study of laparoscopic peritoneal radical nephrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in terms of feasibility, safety, morbidity and tumour control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1993 and July 1998, 29 laparoscopic retroperitoneal radical nephrectomies were performed in 17 men and 12 women for renal tumours less than or equal to 90 mm in diameter. The working space was created by finger dissection without using a dilatation balloon. Four additional trocars were inserted under digital control. The renal pedicle was dissected first: the renal artery was clipped and the renal vein was sectioned by EndoGIA. After sectioning the ureter, the kidney was dissected with the perirenal fat and Gerota's fascia. The operative specimen was extracted in an impermeable endoscopy bag, without division, by enlarging the first trocar incision to 50 mm in order to avoid any parietal contact. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.3 years (range: 40 to 78 years). Radical nephrectomy was performed on 13 right kidneys and 16 left kidneys, with mean dimensions of 112.9 mm (range: 85 to 150 mm). The mean tumour diameter was 40.2 mm (range: 20 to 90 mm). The mean operating time was 145 min (range: 80 to 330 min) with a mean blood loss of 100 cc (range: 0 to 1000 cc). A mean daily dose of 2.8 g (range: 1 to 5 g) of parenteral paracetamol and a mean daily dose of 1.8 mg (range: 0 to 10 mg) of morphine hydrochloride were necessary postoperatively. The mean hospital stay was 4.8 days (range: 1 to 11 days). One intraoperative haemorrhage required open conversion and one colon injury was treated by temporary colostomy. One local recurrence with hepatic metastasis occurred 9 months after the operation in a patient operated for a Furhman grade II stage pT3 tumour with negative resection margins. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is currently under evaluation. This technique is feasible, and respects the principles of cancer surgery: primary control of renal vessels, en bloc extraction of the kidney with Gerota's fascia.

Adenocarcinoma↗