The feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position
10.3760/cma.j.cn112330-20240402-00168
- VernacularTitle:俯卧位机器人辅助腹腔镜腹膜后肿瘤切除术的可行性和安全性
- Author:
Haonan CHEN
1
;
Xiao YANG
;
Rongjie BAI
;
Juntao ZHUANG
;
Lingkai CAI
;
Peikun LIU
;
Qiang CAO
;
Pengchao LI
;
Qiang LYU
Author Information
1. 南京医科大学第一附属医院（江苏省人民医院）泌尿外科，南京 210029
- Keywords:
Retroperitoneal neoplasms;
Prone position;
Robotics
- From:
Chinese Journal of Urology
2024;45(8):577-581
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To discuss the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position.Methods:From August 2023 to January 2024, a total of eight patients with retroperitoneal tumors from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, including two males and six females. The average age was (47.4±12.5) years, average BMI was (24.4±3.5) kg/m 2 and median ASA grade was 2(2, 3). Retroperitoneal tumors were identified preoperatively through CT or MRI. The imaging revealed 4 cases of adrenal tumors located on the left side, 2 on the right side, and 2 non-adrenal tumors situated on the left side. The preoperative diagnoses included 2 cases of non-functional adrenal tumors, 2 cases of pheochromocytoma, 1 case of Cushing’s syndrome, 1 case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and 2 cases of non-adrenal tumors. Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed with all patients in prone position. The inferior margin of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) was determined by the line connecting the highest points of the iliac crests bilaterally. Subsequently, the inferior margins of the L1-L3 vertebrae were sequentially identified. The surgical field was then divided into three equal segments, utilizing the posterior midline of the spine and the midaxillary line as boundaries. The medial division was situated approximately at the lateral border of the vertical spinal muscles, while the lateral division was placed near the tip of the 12th rib. A longitudinal incision of approximately 3 cm in length was created within the lateral division between L2 and L3 for the insertion of a camera trocar. The extraperitoneal space was subsequently dilated using a self-made balloon, and two 8 mm trocars were placed as operative ports along the medial division and the midaxillary line, respectively, under finger guidance. Assistance trocars, one or two 12 mm in diameter, were introduced above the level of the iliac crest. During the operation, the extraperitoneal adipose tissue was removed and the Gerota's fascia was opened. For non-adrenal retroperitoneal tumours, the major blood vessels around the tumour were suspended and fixed, by titanium clips or Hem-o-lok clips to dissect the small arteries and veins, and the tumour was carefully isolated and completely resected. For adrenal tumours, the fat capsule around the upper pole of the kidney were removed, the adrenal gland was exposed, and then the tumour was removed completely along its capsule. If total adrenalectomy is performed, the central adrenal vein was clamped and dissected. The periphery of the adrenal gland was gradually dissected until the adrenal gland was completely removed.The perioperative data, including patient positioning time, trocar placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative drainage tube removal time, as well as recurrence and metastasis, were recorded.Two patients underwent partial nephrectomy due to renal tumor, and only the time for retroperitoneal tumor resection was included in calculating operation time. Results:All 8 surgeries were successfully completed without dramatic blood pressure fluctuations.There was no conversion to open surgery or abdominal organ injury. The patient positioning time was (5.1±0.4) minutes, trocar placement time was (16.6±1.3) minutes, operation time was (28.8±13.8) minutes, intraoperative blood loss was (65.0±28.7) ml, postoperative hospital stay was (3.6±0.9) days, and drainage tube removal time was (2.8±1.0) days. No intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusions were required. Postoperatively diagnosed pathologies included: 2 cases of adrenal pheochromocytoma, 2 cases of adrenal sebaceous adenoma, 2 cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma, 1 case of adrenal myelolipoma, and 1 case of adrenal metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The average tumor size for all patients was (4.3±1.5) cm. After a follow-up of 2.0-7.2 months, there were no recorded postoperative complications, including haemorrhage, infections, acute hypotension, or adrenocortical insufficiency. Additionally, no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed up during foolow-up.Conclusions:Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection in prone position could be a safe and feasible surgical approach with short operative time, low bleeding, and fast postoperative recovery.
