Video-Assisted Anterior Retroperitoneal Approach to the Lumbar Spine. A Minimal Invasive Technique Improved by the Use of Endoscopic Camera to Treat Lumbar Spine Diseases

The anterior retroperitoneal approach is a technique to treat disc degenerative disease (DDD), spinal deformities, traumas, tumors and infections. It can be used to perform Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions (ALIF) or Total Disc Replacements (TDR). Though being a fast procedure that is becoming more often used by spinal surgeons, the anterior approach requires an adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the abdomen to lessen the risks of intraoperative complications. The authors’ preferred technique is the left retroperitoneal video-assisted approach, using an endoscope to visualize and magnify the deep anatomical structures, discectomy procedure and hardware implant. In a review of our casuistry from 2010 to 2012, 163 patients underwent an anterior lumbar approach, and 139 of these had a single L4-5 or L5-S1 level treatment. A 3.6% rate of global complications (1.44% of major vascular injuries) has been observed, with a mean operation time of 116.4 minutes and a mean blood loss of 156.1 ml. These values show how the anterior retroperitoneal video-assisted approach for the treatment of lumbar diseases is a fast procedure that implies low blood loss, with a low rate of intraoperative complications.

The application of internal suspension technique in retroperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with a new robotic system KangDuo Surgical Robot-01:Initial experience

Objective To assess the feasibility of internal suspension technique in retroperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(rRAPN)with a new robotic platform called KangDuo Surgical Robot-01(KD-SR-01)system(Suzhou KangDuo Robot Co.,Ltd.,Suzhou,China)and discuss its surgical technique.Methods A 44-year-old male patient was admitted with a 2.5 cm tumor on dorsolateral upper pole of the left kidney.The R.E.N.A.L.nephrometry score of this patient was 4x.This patient underwent rRAPN with KD-SR-01.The perinephric fat between the tumor and Gerota's fascia was preserved,which was used for internal suspension traction during tumor resection.Postoperative follow-up data were collected.Results The surgery was successfully carried out with a duration of 127 min,in which the docking time was 6 min 25 s and console time was 60 min.The warm ischemia time was 19 min 53 s,and the estimated blood loss was 0 mL.The pathological histology showed a pathological tumor stage 1a clear cell renal cell carcinoma,with a negative surgical margin.The World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology(WHO/ISUP)grade of this patient was Grade 2.No recurrence was observed during the 6-month follow-up.Conclusion Internal suspension in rRAPN is feasible and effective with use of the new robotic system KD-SR-01.

Surgical treatment of lower lumbar fracture with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of surgical treatment of lower lumbar fracture with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach. Methods The data of 21 cases with serious lower lumbar burst fracture were analyzed retrospectively.

Simultaneous kidney transplantation and ipsilateral native nephrectomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

The simultaneous kidney transplantation and ipsilateral native nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease does not seem to be associated with increased rates of comorbidity and complications.This outcome can efficiently be achieved when the indication and surgical approach of native nephrectomy are properly justified.