Abstract
Purpose: We present our technique and evaluate the experience of laparoscopic nephrectomy with intact specimen extraction for patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 16 laparoscopic nephrectomies performed by one laparoscopic surgeon in a university hospital between April 2004 and March 2006. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative follow-up data are presented. A 3- to 4-port transperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to dissect the involved kidney, which was then removed intact through a Pfannenstiel or infraumbilical midline incision.
Results: A total of 16 patients were included in this study over a 2-year period. The average patient age was 49 years (range 29-67 years), and the average body mass index was 26.9 kg/m(2) (range 19.1-38.3 kg/m(2)). Eleven (69%) patients were receiving dialysis. The mean preoperative creatinine level was 520 mu mol/L (range 108-976 mu mol/L). Ten right (63%) and six left (37%) nephrectomies were performed. No patient had preoperative embolization. The mean operative time was 167 minutes (range 95-233 min). The mean blood loss was 76 mL (range 10-200 mL). No patient received a blood transfusion. The mean kidney pathologic size was 23 cm (range 16-35 cm), while the mean extraction size was 10.4 cm (range 8-12 cm). There were no deaths. There was one intraoperative complication (6.25%) and three postoperative ones (19%). No procedure was converted to an open approach. The mean length of hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-11 d).
Conclusions: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for ADPKD is technically feasible and clinically safe. In addition to its low morbidity, other advantages of laparoscopic surgery are the ability to remove the dissected kidney through a small incision, short hospital stay, excellent cosmesis, and fast recovery.