Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without intracorporeal suturing

Background: Partial nephrectomy has gained wider acceptance as a surgical technique in treating small renal tumors. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) still remains a technically demanding surgery to this day. We present our technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, one that is performed without intracorporeal suturing. Methods: We performed LPN on 31 patients with localized renal parenchymal tumor (stage T1). The procedures were done from September 2009 to March 2015 at the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and the Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital. Our technique involves the covering of renal defect layer by layer with FloSeal, Tisseel and a fat pad after monopolar coagulation. Results: Thirty-one patients were included in this study. Mean patient age was 53 years old (range 39–70). Mean tumor size was 2.9 cm (range 1.8–6.3). Mean RENAL nephrometry score was 5.3 (range 4–7). The average operation time was 188 min (range 120–290), and the average warm ischemic time was 19.0 min (range 9–26). Mean estimated blood loss was 171 ml (range 10–650), with no postoperative bleeding among the total 31 patients. No recurrent tumors were identified at a mean follow-up of 29 months postoperatively. The mean change in eGFR was 6.5 (ml/min/m2). Conclusion: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a feasible surgical method for most patients with stage 1 tumor. Our technique has shown to reduce warm ischemic time significantly and provide patients with excellent functional outcomes without affecting oncological results. With this technique, surgeons can perform LPN with more efficiency and with fewer complications.