Kidney Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Kidney Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

Bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy for significantly enlarged polycystic kidneys: a technique to optimize outcome in the largest of specimens.

Desai PJ, Castle EP, Daley SM, Swanson SK, Ferrigni RG, Humphreys MR, Andrews PE

Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy (BLN) for symptomatic autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), as surgical management of massively enlarged polycystic kidneys can be a daunting task. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing BLN for ADPKD. Patient demographics, indications for the procedure, perioperative data, and pathological data were analysed. RESULTS: In all, 12 patients underwent BLN at our institution; eight were performed before transplant, three after transplant, and one with a concomitant kidney transplant. Indications for surgery included abdominal pain, fullness and early satiety, recurrent urinary tract infections, and need for space for future transplant. The mean patient age was 49.6 years, with a body mass index of 27.0 kg/m(2). The mean operative duration was 214 min, estimated blood loss was 169 mL, and the hospital stay was 4 days. There were no conversions to open surgery. The mean (range) pathological kidney mass was 2243 (656-4200) g on the left and 2379 (789-5042) g on the right. No patients with a previous renal transplant had deterioration in postoperative renal function. There was one minor intraoperative complication, one postoperative complication, and one patient with preoperative anaemia required a blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic patients with ADPKD due to massively enlarged kidneys should be considered for BLN when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. This includes patients with an existing renal allograft and candidates for concomitant transplantation. The approach should be tailored to avoid injury to adjacent structures secondary to displacement from the mass effect of these kidneys.

Published 20 March 2008 in BJU Int, 101(8): 1019-23.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Kidney Transplant Research Today. All Rights Reserved.