XXXX : initial clinical series.

@entity1 @entity8 @entity190 @entity5 @entity703
OBJECTIVES: To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. METHODS: Ten @entity1 underwent laparoscopic renal cryoablation of 11 exophytic @entity703 ranging in size from 1.5 to 3 cm identified on computed tomography. @entity5 were located at the upper (3), middle (5), or lower (3) pole of the kidney. Three @entity1 had a solitary kidney. A 3-port retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to create renal cryolesions. Puncture cryoablation was performed with a 4.8-mm cryoprobe. Real-time, endoscopic, steerable, color Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor the evolving cryolesion. All @entity1 have completed a minimum follow-up of 3 months (mean 5.5, range 3 to 9). RESULTS: Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 @entity1 (11 @entity5 ). Under ultrasound guidance, the ice ball was intentionally created up to 1 cm beyond the @entity5 edge with the aim of achieving negative margins. Mean surgical time was 2.4 hours, cryoablation (double freeze-thaw) time 12.9 minutes, cryoprobe tip temperature -186 degrees C, and @entity190 75 mL. Systemic temperature remained unaltered. Hospital stay was less than 23 hours in 9 of 10 @entity1 . Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1 day and 1, 2, and 3 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesion. Follow-up biopsies of the cryoablated @entity5 site were negative for @entity5 in the 3 @entity1 who have undergone the biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The initial series of laparoscopic renal cryoablation is presented. The retroperitoneoscopic approach, by avoiding the peritoneal cavity, minimizes the chances of the bowel coming in contact with the evolving cryolesion, and the potential sequelae thereof. @entity8 is currently developmental and long-term data are awaited. Nevertheless, it is potentially an attractive addition to available nephron-sparing surgical techniques.
