The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic microwave ablation-assisted partial nephrectomy: a new avenue for the treatment of cystic renal tumors

• Published in: International journal of hyperthermia Vol. 40; no. 1; p. 2157499
• Main Authors: Hong, Baoan, Zhao, Qiang, Ji, Yongpeng, Yang, Yong, Zhang, Ning
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 31.12.2023; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - surgery; Cystic renal tumor; efficacy; Female; Humans; Kidney - physiology; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kidney Neoplasms - surgery; Laparoscopy - methods; Male; microwave ablation; Microwaves - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy - methods; partial nephrectomy; Retrospective Studies; safety; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Cystic renal tumor; microwave ablation; partial nephrectomy; safety; efficacy
• ISSN: 0265-6736; 1464-5157
• DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2022.2157499

Clinically, the management of cystic renal masses is tricky. The study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic microwave ablation-assisted partial nephrectomy (LMAPN) for cystic renal tumors. Between November 2017 and January 2022, LMAPN was performed on 43 patients (29 men and 14 women; age range: 22-80 years; median age 54 years) with Bosniak category III (n = 15) or IV (n = 28) cystic renal tumors (size range: 1.2-5.0 cm; mean size 2.8 cm). The median follow-up period was 26 months (range: 7-56 months). Baseline and perioperative data, pathological features, renal function, postoperative complications and oncologic outcomes were collected and evaluated. Forty-three cystic renal tumors were successfully managed by LMAPN. The mean operating time was 79 min (range: 40-130 min). The mean time of renal pedicle clamping was 19 min (range: 12-25 min). Mean intraoperative blood loss was 28.4 mL (range: 10-80 mL). The mean postoperative hospitalization duration was 4 days (range: 2-6 days). Negative surgical margins were diagnosed in all cases. During the follow-up, no patient appeared with distant metastasis, wound or peritoneal cavity implantation. No major but minor complications of Clavien-Dindo grade I were encountered after the operation. The 1-, 3- and 4-year overall survival rate was 100%, 96.6% and 88.5%, respectively. This is the first study focusing on LMAPN for cystic renal tumors, demonstrating its favorable feasibility, safety and disease control. Long-term follow-up is necessary to draw conclusions on the preference and advantages of the new therapeutic approach.