First experience of superselective embolization of renal arteries supplying the tumor with subsequent laparoscopic kidney resection

Background. Patients with signs of tumor lesions in a single kidney or in the only one functioning kidney, with bilateral renal tumors are at high risk of functional failure or insufficiency of the kidney after surgery. Joint discussions with specialists in X-ray endovascular surgeries resulted in the development of a treatment algorithm for patients with localized kidney cancer who require organ-sparing surgery without ischemic kidney resection.

Objective: to evaluation of the immediate results of two-stage surgical treatment of localized kidney cancer in patients with signs of tumor lesions in a single kidney or in the only one functioning kidney, with bilateral renal tumors, including superselective embolization of the artery supplying the tumor at the first stage, and laparoscopic kidney resection without renal ischemia parenchyma at the second stage.

Materials and methods. This study included 5 patients with localized kidney cancer, who underwent two-stage treatment at Moscow Regional Oncology Dispensary between 24.03.2021 and 19.04.2021. The first stage included superselective embolization of the artery supplying the tumor; the second stage implied laparoscopic kidney resection 6-7 days following the first stage.

Results. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 42-73 years). Four patients (80%) had unilateral kidney lesions, while 1 patient (20 %) had bilateral (synchronous) kidney cancer. The mean RENAL score was 8 (range: 6-10); patients were distributed as follows: score 4-6 in 40 %, score 7-9 in 40 %, and score >10 in 20 % of patients. At the first stage, patients underwent endovascular embolization of the branches of the renal artery. Patients had superselective embolization of either middle (n = 3; 60 %), upper (n = 1; 20 %), or lower (n = 1; 20 %) segmental arteries supplying the tumor. In one of them (20 %), we identified 3 large arterial branches; in another one (20 %), we identified 2 large arterial branches.

At the second stage, we performed laparoscopic kidney resection. None of the patients required renal artery clamping, because there was an excellent visualization of the demarcation zone and no significant blood loss. The resection area was sutured in 1 case (20 %). In 2 individuals (40 %), a hemostatic sponge was installed in the removed tumor bed. In the remaining 2 cases (40 %), hemostasis was ensured by coagulation. The median blood loss was 100 mL (range: 50-200 mL). The postoperative period was uneventful in all patients. None of the patients developed symptoms of acute renal failure.

Conclusion. Thus, superselective embolization of arteries supplying a kidney tumor has undeniable advantages in organ-sparing surgeries for patients with localized kidney cancer and some additional kidney problems, when organ preservation is crucial for patient's life.

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