Early ligature of renal artery during radical laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy: description of standard technique and direct access

PURPOSE: We compared two techniques of early ligature of the renal artery during transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a standard technique and a direct approach to the artery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 100 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy at our institution, in the last 70, we used early renal-artery ligature. Of these, the standard technique after exposure of the vascular pedicle was used in 45 patients (group A), and ligature with a direct access to the renal artery was attempted in 25 patients (group B). RESULTS: No statistical differences were noted between the two groups in terms of age, lesion size, operative time, estimated blood loss, or intraoperative and postoperative complications. There were no recurrences of disease by CT evaluation in either group during follow-up (range 1-46 months). CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with direct access to renal artery for early ligature is technically difficult but feasible and safe.