Non-ischemic Partial Nephrectomy with Using the Microwave Tissue Coagulator

Park, Bum Soo; Chang, Sung Goo

Abstract

PURPOSE: When performing partial nephrectomy, there is a risk of excessive blood loss; this necessitates transfusion and it also results in deterioration of the renal function when a vascular clamp is used. We evaluated the usefulness of the microwave tissue coagulator for performing partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and benign renal tumors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From October 2000 to January 2005, partial nephrectomy was performed without renal pedicle clamping with using the microwave tissue coagulator for 9 patients with seven renal cell carcinomas and two angiomyolipomas.
RESULTS
In 6 patients, partial nephrectomy was successful with using the microwave tissue coagulator without renal pedicle clamping. The mean operative time and blood loss were 184 minutes and 223ml, respectively. For the remaining cases, three had positive tumor margins, so radical nephrectomy was performed for those cases. The mean creatinine level was not increased postoperatively. The mean preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels were 12.6g/dl and 11.7g/dl, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Partial nephrectomy with using the microwave tissue coagulator can be safe and successful without performing renal pedicle clamping. However, the insertion line of the microwave electrode must be carefully determined for the resection to be curative, the same as when making the cut line for conventional partial nephrectomy.