Kahn, Amanda

Introduction: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) represents the gold standard surgical treatment for high-risk localized prostate cancer. PLND carries the risk of lymphocele formation, which can lead to complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), infection, and voiding dysfunction. Many techniques have been described to minimize lymphocele formation, yet no method has seen widespread use or been described as sutureless. The objective of this study is to describe the novel, sutureless peritoneal window (PWIN) technique and assess its efficacy in lymphocele prophylaxis for extended PLND. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with high-risk prostate cancer undergoing RARP with extended PLND by a single surgeon from 2018 to 2024. PLND was carried out in the usual manner with bipolar cautery. PWIN technique is performed by excising a 3 × 5 cm PWIN over the lymphadenectomy bed to maintain lymphatic communication with the abdominal cavity. The primary outcome was a comparison between the incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles (SLs) with PWIN vs standard technique. SLs were defined as lymphoceles presenting with pain, DVT, voiding dysfunction, or infectious symptoms. Patients with asymptomatic lymphoceles were excluded. Results: Our study included 199 patients who underwent RARP with extended PLND. There were 46 patients (23.1%) in the standard approach group and 153 patients (76.9%) in the PWIN group. We identified 5/46 (10.9%) SLs in the standard technique, which were significantly higher than the 3/153 (2.0%) observed in the PWIN group (p = 0.017). There was no difference between the standard and PWIN cohorts regarding symptomology or treatment of their lymphocele. Conclusion: This study describes a novel, sutureless PWIN technique that significantly decreases SL after extended PLND. This technique offers a practical, time-efficient, and cost-effective alternative for lymphocele prevention. Future prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.

ObjectiveTo validate the Martini nomogram predicting the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy.MethodsEstimated glomerular filtration rate of 406 patients from a single surgeon series was calculated before robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy and at postoperative intervals. To determine the risk group, we calculated the total score and corresponding risk of significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction at 15 months using the Martini nomogram. The primary outcome was a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥25% from preoperative levels between 1 and 12 months after surgery.ResultsThe median length of follow up for this study was 12 months (interquartile range 6–12 months). Overall, 134 (33%) patients were in the low‐, 143 (35%) in the intermediate‐, 119 (29%) in the high‐ and 10 (2%) in the very high‐risk groups. The Kaplan–Meier estimates for the probability of significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction by 12 months after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy was 12.9% in the low‐risk group, 24.0% in the intermediate‐risk group, 49.7% in the high‐risk group and 40.0% in the very high‐risk group. Harrell’s C‐index for discriminating between those with and without a significant reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate 1–12 months after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.78).ConclusionsThe risk groups proposed by the Martini nomogram are accurate in predicting those at higher risk for a >25% decline in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate after robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy at 12 months.

AbstractBackgroundRenal tumor scoring systems, such as the contact surface area value, aim to assist in predicting outcomes following robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy. The aim of this study is to identify associations between specific postoperative outcomes and the contact surface area of renal masses.MethodsWe analyzed 332 consecutive robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomies and calculated contact surface area for renal tumors with the contact surface area formula (CSA = 2πrd), where π ≈ 3.14, r = greatest tumor radius (cm), and d = greatest tumor depth (cm).ResultsHigher contact surface area was associated with longer warm ischemia time (P < .001), higher estimated blood loss (P < .001), and longer length of hospital stay (LOS) (P < .001). Higher contact surface area was significantly associated with decreased renal function at 1 day, 1 month, and 6 months following robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy.ConclusionsContact surface area is associated with certain outcomes following robotic‐assisted partial nephrectomy and may be a useful predictive tool.

Multinucleate Giant Cell (GC) reaction is a biological response that occurs secondary to infection, an implanted foreign body, tissue injury, or inflammation. In rare instances GC reactions have been reported following tissue ablation. Multinucleate GC reactions and tumefactive fat necrosis both have the ability to mimic cancer recurrence or metastasis and can appear as enhancing masses. We discuss a case of a surgically resected retroperitoneal perinephric mass thought to be recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that was pathologically confirmed as tumefactive fat necrosis with multinucleate GC reaction 2 years following percutaneous cryoablation of a small renal mass.