Gasless Extraperitoneal Retroperitoneoscopically Assisted Surgery

Ryu, Ji Kan; Yang, Seung Cheol

Abstract

Conventional laparoscopic surgery requires definite leaming curve, and must be converted to an open procedure in the event of a large vessel injury. The usage of carbon dioxide gas for securing operative field is generally accepted, but such field rapidly disappears when air pressure decreases. To overcome these shortcomings without sacrificing advantages of excellent cosmetic results and reduced wound pain of laparoscopy without using the gas insufflation, various urologic operations utilizing incisions 2 to 5 cm long were made without cutting abdominal musculature with the help of specially designed retractors and video systems used in conventional laparoscopic surgery. It can be performed in familiar anatomical settings and all the surgical skills of open procedures can be utilized. We have performed 3 living donor nephrectomies, 6 simple nephrectomies, 2 partial nephrectomies, 9 pyeloplasties, 16 ureterolithotomies, 1 ureteroureterostomy, and 2 renal cyst marsupializations. Mean operative time and hospital stay were 185 minutes and 7 days for living donor nephrectomies, 150 minutes and 6.7 days for simple nephrectomies, 255 minutes and 7.5 days for partial nephrectomies, 130 minutes and 4.8 days for pyeloplasties, 85 minutes and 4.1 days for ureterolithotomies, 90 minutes and 5 days for ureteroureterostomy, and 75 minutes and 5.5 days for renal cyst marsupializations, respectively. Immediate wound pain was severe probably due to intense traction of abdominal musculature, but the recovery of such pain was remarkably rapid. No postoperative wound paresthesia was seen and early discharge was possible. In conclusion, the gasless retroperitoneoscopically assisted surgery can take advantage of both conventional open and laparoscopic surgery, and it can be a valid option to conventional open surgery for any surgical procedures in retroperitoneum, including kidney, ureter, and bladder.