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Background: Immune checkpoint-inhibitor (ICI)-based therapy is the standard of care for first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). It is unclear whether prior removal of the primary tumor influences the efficacy of these treatments. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of first-line ICI in mRCC to determine whether the efficacy of ICI-therapy, compared to sunitinib, is altered based on receipt of prior nephrectomy., Methods: We systematically reviewed studies indexed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Scopus and conference abstracts from relevant medical societies as of August 2020 to identify randomized clinical trials assessing first-line immunotherapy-based regimes in mRCC. Studies were included if overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes were reported with data stratified by nephrectomy status. We pooled hazard ratios (HRs) stratified by nephrectomy status and performed random effects meta-analysis to assess the null hypothesis of no difference in the survival advantage of immunotherapy-based regimes based on nephrectomy status, while accounting for study level correlations., Results: Among 6 randomized clinical trials involving 5,121 patients, 3,968 (77%) had undergone prior nephrectomy. We found an overall survival benefit for immunotherapy-based regimes, compared to sunitinib, among both patients who had undergone nephrectomy (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63 -0.88) and those who had not (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59 -0.92), without evidence of difference based on nephrectomy history (P = 0.70; I 2  = 36%). Results assessing PFS were similar (P = 0.45, I 2  = 0%)., Conclusions: These clinical data suggest that prior nephrectomy does not affect the efficacy of ICI-based regimens in mRCC relative to sunitinib., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) has played a role in treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) since trials demonstrated a survival benefit in patients receiving CN with interferon. With the publication of CARMENA, it became clear that the value of CN may depend on the co-therapy administered. We sought to assess the benefit of CN in the era of modern immunotherapy (IO)., Methods: We performed a systematic review to identify studies assessing CN in patients receiving TT or IO. We extracted multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for the association between CN and overall survival (OS) and performed random effects meta-analysis. We tested for effect modification by systemic therapy approach on the association between CN and OS by pooling the difference in logHR associated with CN for patients treated with TT versus IO., Results: We identified three comparisons assessing CN in patients receiving TT or IO. Pooled analysis indicated improved survival with CN in both the TT (2 cohorts, pooled HR: 0.52, 95% CI 0.46-0.59; I 2  = 80%) and IO era (2 cohorts; pooled HR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.16-0.49; I 2  = 21%), with a stronger association in the IO era (p = 0.01; I 2  = 0%)., Conclusion: In observational datasets, we observed a larger survival benefit to CN in patients treated with IO-based regimens versus those treated with TT-based regimens. While the role of CN for patients receiving TT has recently been questioned, this suggests that the results of CARMENA do not necessarily preclude a benefit to CN when combined with IO-based regimens.

Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is gaining increasing prominence for nephron-sparing surgery in the treatment of patients with localized kidney tumors. RPN offers the benefits of minimally invasive surgery with a shorter learning curve compared with its laparoscopic counterpart. While long-term data are awaited, RPN does provide short-term oncologic and functional outcomes comparable to open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Furthermore, robotic surgery has facilitated technical innovation, including the elimination of warm ischemia, provided minimally invasive alternatives to patients with complex tumors, and importantly, has fuelled increased dissemination of partial nephrectomy surgery among community urologists.

Objective: To determine the effect of disseminated cancer on perioperative outcomes following radical nephrectomy., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer from 2005 to 2014 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, a multi-institutional prospective registry that captures perioperative surgical complications. Patients were stratified according to the presence (n = 657) or absence (n = 7143) of disseminated cancer at the time of surgery. We examined major complications (death, reoperation, cardiac event, or neurologic event) within 30 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes included pulmonary, infectious, venous thromboembolic, and bleeding complications; prolonged length of stay; and concomitant procedures (bowel, liver, spleen, pancreas, and vascular procedures). Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using multivariate logical regression models., Results: Patients with disseminated cancer were older and more likely to be male, have greater comorbidities, and have undergone open surgery. Major complications were more common among patients with disseminated cancer (7.8%) than those without disseminated cancer (3.2%; aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.46-2.86). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with disseminated cancer (3.2%) than those without disseminated cancer (0.5%; P < .0001). Pulmonary (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.09-2.59), thromboembolic (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.96), and bleeding complications (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.73-2.60) were more common among patients with disseminated cancer as was prolonged length of stay (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06-1.53)., Conclusion: Nephrectomy in patients with disseminated cancer is a morbid operation with significant perioperative mortality. These data may be used for preoperative counseling of patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anatomic partial nephrectomy (PN) techniques aim to decrease or eliminate global renal ischemia., Objective: To report the technical feasibility of completely unclamped "minimal-margin" robotic PN. We also illustrate the stepwise evolution of anatomic PN surgery with related outcomes data., Design, Setting, and Participants: This study was a retrospective analysis of 179 contemporary patients undergoing anatomic PN at a tertiary academic institution between October 2009 and February 2013. Consecutive consented patients were grouped into three cohorts: group 1, with superselective clamping and developmental-curve experience (n = 70); group 2, with superselective clamping and mature experience (n = 60); and group 3, which had completely unclamped, minimal-margin PN (n = 49)., Surgical Procedure: Patients in groups 1 and 2 underwent superselective tumor-specific devascularization, whereas patients in group 3 underwent completely unclamped minimal-margin PN adjacent to the tumor edge, a technique that takes advantage of the radially oriented intrarenal architecture and anatomy., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Primary outcomes assessed the technical feasibility of robotic, completely unclamped, minimal-margin PN; short-term changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); and development of new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage >3. Secondary outcome measures included perioperative variables, 30-d complications, and histopathologic outcomes., Results and Limitations: Demographic data were similar among groups. For similarly sized tumors (p = 0.13), percentage of kidney preserved was greater (p = 0.047) and margin width was narrower (p = 0.0004) in group 3. In addition, group 3 had less blood loss (200, 225, and 150ml; p = 0.04), lower transfusion rates (21%, 23%, and 4%; p = 0.008), and shorter hospital stay (p = 0.006), whereas operative time and 30-d complication rates were similar. At 1-mo postoperatively, median percentage reduction in eGFR was similar (7.6%, 0%, and 3.0%; p = 0.53); however, new-onset CKD stage >3 occurred less frequently in group 3 (23%, 10%, and 2%; p = 0.003). Study limitations included retrospective analysis, small sample size, and short follow-up., Conclusions: We developed an anatomically based technique of robotic, unclamped, minimal-margin PN. This evolution from selective clamped to unclamped PN may further optimize functional outcomes but requires external validation and longer follow-up., Patient Summary: The technical evolution of partial nephrectomy surgery is aimed at eliminating global renal damage from the cessation of blood flow. An unclamped minimal-margin technique is described and may offer renal functional advantage but requires long-term follow-up and validation at other institutions., (Copyright © 2015 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the impact of 3D printed models of renal tumor on patient's understanding of their conditions. Patient understanding of their medical condition and treatment satisfaction has gained increasing attention in medicine. Novel technologies such as additive manufacturing [also termed three-dimensional (3D) printing] may play a role in patient education. Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted, and seven patients with a primary diagnosis of kidney tumor who were being considered for partial nephrectomy were included after informed consent. All patients underwent four-phase multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) scanning from which renal volume data were extracted to create life-size patient-specific 3D printed models. Patient knowledge and understanding were evaluated before and after 3D model presentation. Patients' satisfaction with their specific 3D printed model was also assessed through a visual scale. Results: After viewing their personal 3D kidney model, patients demonstrated an improvement in understanding of basic kidney physiology by 16.7 % ( p = 0.018), kidney anatomy by 50 % ( p = 0.026), tumor characteristics by 39.3 % ( p = 0.068) and the planned surgical procedure by 44.6 % ( p = 0.026). Conclusion: Presented herein is the initial clinical experience with 3D printing to facilitate patient's pre-surgical understanding of their kidney tumor and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Level III inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy for renal cancer is one of the most challenging open urologic oncology surgeries. We present the initial series of completely intracorporeal robotic level III inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy. Materials and Methods Nine patients underwent robotic level III inferior vena cava thrombectomy and 7 patients underwent level II thrombectomy. The entire operation (high intrahepatic inferior vena cava control, caval exclusion, tumor thrombectomy, inferior vena cava repair, radical nephrectomy, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy) was performed exclusively robotically. To minimize the chances of intraoperative inferior vena cava thrombus embolization, an “inferior vena cava-first, kidney-last” robotic technique was developed. Data were accrued prospectively. Results All 16 robotic procedures were successful, without open conversion or mortality. For level III cases (9), median primary kidney (right 6, left 3) cancer size was 8.5 cm (range 5.3 to 10.8) and inferior vena cava thrombus length was 5.7 cm (range 4 to 7). Median operative time was 4.9 hours (range 4.5 to 6.3), estimated blood loss was 375 cc (range 200 to 7,000) and hospital stay was 4.5 days. All surgical margins were negative. There were no intraoperative complications and 1 postoperative complication (Clavien 3b). At a median 7 months of followup (range 1 to 18) all patients are alive. Compared to level II thrombi the level III cohort trended toward greater inferior vena cava thrombus length (3.3 vs 5.7 cm), operative time (4.5 vs 4.9 hours) and blood loss (290 vs 375 cc). Conclusions With appropriate patient selection, surgical planning and robotic experience, completely intracorporeal robotic level III inferior vena cava thrombectomy is feasible and can be performed efficiently. Larger experience, longer followup and comparison with open surgery are needed to confirm these initial outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We sought to examine the relationship between preoperative platelet to white blood cell ratio (PLT/WBC), a hematological marker of the systemic inflammatory response, and postoperative infectious complications following radical nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with radical nephrectomy for localized kidney cancer between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014 (n=6235) using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between PLT/WBC ratio and 30-day infectious complications, including surgical site infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, and sepsis. Secondarily, we examined major complications and bleeding requiring transfusion. Results: A lower PLT/WBC ratio was associated with an increased risk of sepsis, pneumonia, and UTI rates (p<0.05 for all). Furthermore, there was a significant trend of decreasing rates of sepsis and pneumonia with increasing PLT/WBC ratio across quintiles (p<0.05 for all). On multivariate analysis, patients with the lowest PLT/WBC ratios (Quintile 1) had a two-fold risk of having a postoperative infectious complication compared to patients in the highest quintile (odds ratio [OR] 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-2.86; p<0.0001). Patients in Quintile 5 had a higher risk of requiring blood transfusion than those in Quintiles 2-4 (p<0.05 for all). Conclusions: The PLT/WBC ratio represents a widely available and novel index to predict risk of infectious and bleeding complications in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. External validation is required and the biological underpinning of this phenomenon requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The morbidity and mortality associated with multivisceral resection (MVR) at the time of radical nephrectomy (RN) remains poorly described and quantified at the population level. • Patients undergoing RN+MVR were at greater risk of requiring reoperation, transfusion, and readmission, and experiencing increased rate of infections and longer hospital stays. • There was no significant difference in mortality rates between RN alone and RN+MVR. Locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can rarely invade into adjacent abdominal viscera without clinical evidence of distant metastases. The role of multivisceral resection (MVR) of involved adjacent organs at the time of radical nephrectomy (RN) remains poorly described and quantified. Using a national database, we aimed to evaluate the association between RN+MVR and 30-day postoperative complications. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing RN for RCC with and without MVR between 2005 and 2020 using the ACS-NSQIP database. The primary outcome was a composite of any of the following 30-day major postoperative complications: mortality, reoperation, cardiac event, and neurologic event. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the composite primary outcome, as well as infectious and venous thromboembolic complications, unplanned intubation and ventilation, transfusion, readmission, and prolonged length of stay (LOS). Groups were balanced using propensity score matching. Likelihood of complications was assessed by conditional logistic regression adjusted for unbalanced total operation time. Postoperative complications were compared by Fisher's exact test among subtypes of resection. A total of 12,417 patients were identified: 12,193 (98.2%) undergoing RN alone and 224 (1.8%) undergoing RN+MVR. Patients undergoing RN+MVR were more likely to experience major complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–4.74). However, there was no significant association between RN+MVR and postoperative mortality (OR 2.49; 95% CI 0.89–7.01). RN+MVR was associated with higher rates of reoperation (OR 7.85; 95% CI 2.38–25.8), sepsis (OR 5.45; 95% CI 1.83–16.2), surgical site infection (OR 4.41; 95% CI 2.14–9.07), blood transfusion (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.55–3.22), readmission (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.11–2.84), infectious complications (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.62–4.24), and longer hospital stay (5 days [IQR 3–8] vs. 4 days [IQR 3–7]; OR 2.31 [95% CI 2.13–3.03]). There was no heterogeneity in the association between subtype of MVR and major complication rate. Undergoing RN+MVR is associated with an increased risk of 30-day postoperative morbidity, including infectious complications, reoperation, blood transfusion, prolonged LOS, and readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]