Laparoscopic renal autotransplantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Renal autotransplantation is an extensive open surgical operation consisting of two distinct procedures, live-donor nephrectomy and autotransplantation, and requiring two large skin incisions. Herein, we analyze the feasibility of performing the entire procedure laparoscopically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Renal autotransplantation was performed entirely laparoscopically in six female farm pigs. Following a left donor nephrectomy, intracorporeal renal hypothermia was achieved by intra-arterial perfusion of ice-cold solution through a 4F balloon catheter. During autotransplantation, the renal vessels were anastomosed intracorporeally to the previously prepared ipsilateral common iliac vessels in an end-to-side fashion. Laparoscopic freehand suturing (5-0 Prolene) and knot-tying techniques were employed exclusively. A staged contralateral native nephrectomy was performed in five animals. Postoperative follow-up included serial creatinine measurements, intravenous urography, aortography, and renal histologic examination.

RESULTS:

The mean operating time was 6.2 hours (range 5.3-7.9 hours), the venous anastomosis time was 33 minutes (range 22-46 minutes), the arterial anastomosis time was 31 minutes (range 27-35 minutes), and the total iliac clamping time was 77 minutes (range 62-88 minutes). The total renal ischemia time was 68.7 minutes: warm ischemia 5.1 minutes, cold ischemia 33 minutes and rewarming 31 minutes. Serum creatinine concentrations remained stable: baseline 1.3 mg/dL, after autotransplantation 1.1 mg/dL, and after contralateral nephrectomy 1.6 mg/dL. Intravenous urography and aortography prior to euthanasia (N = 5) demonstrated prompt contrast uptake and excretion by the autotransplanted kidneys and patent arterial anastomoses, respectively. Histopathologic examination of the autograft demonstrated normal renal architecture.

CONCLUSIONS:

Renal autotransplantation can be performed utilizing laparoscopic techniques exclusively. This study may form the basis for performance of complex urologic vascular procedures laparoscopically.

• Authors: A M Meraney, I S Gill, J H Kaouk, M Skacel, G T Sung
• Journal: Journal of endourology (J Endourol) Vol. 15 Issue 2 Pg. 143-9 (Mar 2001) ISSN: 0892-7790 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11325083 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Anastomosis, Surgical
• Animals
• Aorta (surgery)
• Aortography
• Female
• Kidney (pathology)
• Kidney Transplantation
• Laparoscopy
• Nephrectomy
• Postoperative Period
• Swine
• Transplantation, Autologous
• Urography