Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metachronous ipsilateral metastasis following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

Introduction

Surgical removal of metastases from renal cell carcinoma if it is technically possible is believed to be the best therapeutic possibility. This opinion is widely accepted although it has come only from retrospective studies. The results of individual authors’ data have significantly varied and depended on the particular constitution of an evaluated complex [1, 2].

In spite of the development of a targeted molecular therapy, the surgical therapy may be recommended to patients with metachronous adrenal meta-stases either with or in the absence of systemic therapy [1-3].

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered as a gold standard of care for patients with small adrenal masses [4]. In patients who underwent previous ipsilateral partial or radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic approaches may not be considered because of obliteration of retroperitoneal landmarks, intra­peritoneal adhesions and scarring at the potential operative site.

Aim

The purpose of this article is to review our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastatic RCC (mRCC) after previous ipsilateral nephrectomy (PIN).

Material and methods

In the period from August 2004 to October 2012 we performed at our institution 88 laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Five LA were performed for me­tachronous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma after PIN. In the same period only one open adrenalectomy was performed for extensive metastasis of renal cell carcinoma located behind the inferior vena cava and therefore it was unsuitable for laparoscopic operation (Photo 1).



Surgical technique



The technique of LA is well described and may be performed using a transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach [4]. However, the retroperitoneum is obliterated in patients who have undergone nephrectomy. Therefore, a lateral transperitoneal approach is used for all the patients with PIN.

After insertion of a urinary catheter, a patient is turned to the lateral flank position with elevation of the operated side. It causes medial dislocation of the bowel by gravity and avoidance of intraperitoneal adhesions. We create capnoperitoneum using a Veress needle up to pressure 12 mm Hg. We insert first a 10 mm videoport laterally from the musculus rectus abdominis for 30° optics. Subsequently we continue with revision of the abdominal cavity, and insert another 11 mm port laterally from the videoport, so that we can disrupt intraperitoneal adhesions. During preparation we use a common hook with coagulation or cutting, a harmonic scalpel or the bipolar vessel sealing system LigaSure®, Blunt tip 35 mm instrument. After dissection of adhesions we classically insert two other 5 mm ports under optical control below the ribs. In right-sided cases we use a 5 mm port under the processus xiphoideus or a 3 mm port below the ribs for liver retraction.

A crucial aspect of dissection in patients undergoing LA in the setting of PIN is the liberal use of sharp dissection with endoshears. Blunt dissection can lead to injury of normal organs, dissection into incorrect tissue planes and potentially tumour violation. The liver elevation and mobilization of hepatic flexure is necessary on the right side, the mobilization of the splenic flexure and spleen on the left side. Perfect orientation in the whole operated field and identification of significant structures are highly important; it means the identification of the adrenal gland with the tumour, renal artery and vein stumps bilaterally, duodenum, vena cava inferior on the right side, tail of pancreas, splenic artery and aorta on the left side. Laparoscopic ultrasonography can help with identification of critical structures. The adrenal vein is controlled by using 5 mm polymer lockable clips Hem-o-Lok® Weck (size ML).

After complete adrenal release, we insert the specimen into the plastic bag that is extracted by widening one of the ports. The scar after previous nephrectomy could be used for extraction of the specimen too. We use incision of a lateral port for abdominal cavity drainage (Photos 2–4).

Results

From August 2004 to October 2012 we performed 88 LA at our institution. Of this amount 5 LA were performed for metachronous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma after PIN.

The group comprised 4 men (80%) and 1 woman (20%). The mean age at the time of surgery was 66.8 ±8.5 (range: 60-77 years).

The mean time from nephrectomy to adrenalectomy was 5.2 (range: 1.5-14) years. Patients’ characteristics and results for each group are shown in Table I.

The mean blood loss was higher after PIN by 22 ml. The mean operating time was longer by 7 min compared with the group without previous nephrectomy. The patients after PIN were paradoxically hospitalized for a shorter period than patients without previous nephrectomy. This phenomenon was probably caused by the facts that we had no complications in this group, which would lengthen hospitalization, and the group was relatively small as well. There was no conversion in our group of patients after PIN. Results of patients undergoing LA after PIN are shown in Table II.

Three patients in the PIN group achieved complete remission and have no evidence of disease, 2 pa­tients are alive with disease and with additional targeted therapy – sunitinib (Sutent®).

At the same time we also performed 7 LA for metachronous metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in the contralateral adrenal gland.

Discussion

In the classical description of a radical nephrectomy for RCC, Robson and colleagues suggested that adrenalectomy should be performed as an integral part of the surgery [5]. Modern series, however, have not shown a benefit to routinely removing the adrenal gland with radical nephrectomy. The adrenal gland may become involved by local extension, or lymphatic or haematogenous metastasis, with a 1% to 5% incidence of synchronous metastasis [6].

Ipsilateral adrenalectomy is indicated in patients with radiographic suspicion of adrenal involvement or when there is a large upper pole tumour and direct invasion of the adrenal gland is likely or when a normal adrenal gland cannot be excluded [6, 7].

Despite increased survival and improved re­sponse rates that are associated with the use of targeted therapies for mRCC, the median overall survival continues to be less than 2 years, with complete remission being seen rarely [8]. After nephrectomy, however, the time course of metastatic disease progression is variable with some patients progressing quickly while other patients slowly progress or stabilize with low volume metastasis. Patients with mRCC who are otherwise healthy and have oligometastatic disease often undergo metastasectomy because they can achieve surgical complete remission and a prolonged disease-free interval. Although several series have noted the association of surgical resection of metastases with improved survival, it is difficult to prove the survival benefit of surgery, given that these patients are highly selected. In addition, even with known prognostic factors, it is not clear which patients will benefit from metastasectomy. Published results show 51% to 88% survival in patients with intermediate and high-risk disease undergoing metastasectomy through 24 months median follow-up [9].

Adrenal metastases after ipsi- or contralateral nephrectomy are not rare [10] and adrenalectomy indicated for removal of metastases has been associated with prolonged survival [11]. In patients with adrenal metastases after nephrectomy, open adrenalectomy necessitates a large incision to gain access for removal of a small gland. In addition to the possible benefits of less pain and a quicker recovery, patients may be able to return to systemic therapy for mRCC faster when applied laparoscopic techniques are compared with open surgery. Recovery time is an important fact, because agents are frequently withheld after surgery because of concerns with wound healing while receiving therapies that target angiogenic pathways [12, 13].

Also in LA a single-port approach similar to ne­phrectomy can be used [14]. We have used this approach totally in 9 LA. Due to the technical difficulties, we did not use a single-port approach for LA after PIN.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastasis of RCC after PIN is a technically feasible method in se­lected patients and is associated with no significant differences in perioperative data in comparison with the group without prior nephrectomy. The lapa­roscopic procedure is always performed transperitoneally; considering PIN at first it is necessary to disrupt intraperitoneal adhesions. During the operation perfect orientation in already operated terrain and the identification of significant structures are very important. The surgeon who performs this procedure should be experienced in standard LA as well as reoperative open and laparoscopic surgery. The patient benefits from minimally invasive surgery and considering faster recovery it is possible to timely deploy systematic therapy for mRCC as necessary.

Acknowledgments

Supported by the project of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic for conceptual development of research organization 00669806 – University Hospital in Pilsen, Czech Republic and by the Charles University Research Fund (project number P36).

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Received: 16.12.2012, accepted: 2.2.2013.