|
   |
|
ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
|
|
| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 4 | Page : 318-324 |
| |
Trifecta and pentafecta outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for hilar versus nonhilar tumors: A propensity-matched analysis
Shantanu Tyagi1, Gopal Sharma1, Girdhar S Bora1, Ravimohan S Mavuduru1, Aditya Prakash Sharma1, Sudheer Kumar Devana1, Ujjwal Gorsi2, Nandita Kakkar3, Shrawan K Singh1
1 Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
2 Department of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
3 Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| Date of Submission | 18-Apr-2021 |
| Date of Decision | 30-Jun-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 14-Sep-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 1-Oct-2021 |
Correspondence Address:
Ravimohan S Mavuduru
Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/iju.iju_136_21
 Abstract | | |
Introduction: Hilar tumors are a unique subset of complex renal masses posing a potential surgical challenge during partial nephrectomy. The outcomes of hilar masses have not been compared to non-hilar renal masses of similar RENAL nephrometry score (RNS). In this study, we analyzed the outcomes of hilar versus nonhilar masses after a propensity score matching.
Methods: Prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent robot assisted PN between November 2014 and December 2018 was abstracted for hilar and nonhilar tumors. We performed propensity matching for baseline variables such as age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, preoperative glomerular filtration rate, and RNS for each patient on the basis of propensity scores.
Results: We included 48 patients with hilar tumors and 153 with nonhilar tumors. On propensity matching, 41 patients were included in each group. The mean operative time (162.4 ± 48.9 min vs. 144.1 ± 38.8 min, P = 0.48), warm ischemia time (29.0 ± 8.8 min vs. 24.4 ± 8.2 min, P = 0.12), and the estimated blood loss (201.8 ± 184.7 ml vs. 150.6 ± 160.5 ml, P = 0.37) were not significantly different between the hilar and the nonhilar groups. Trifecta was achieved in only 14/41 (34.1%) of the patients in the hilar group as compared to 24/41 (58.5%) in the nonhilar group (P = 0.027). Logistic regression analysis identified that hilar location of the tumors was not an independent predictor of overall complications (OR 6.37, confidence interval [CI] 0.5–69.4, P = 0.4), trifecta (OR 0.38, CI 0.14–1.0, P = 0.051), and pentafecta outcomes (OR 0.4, CI 0.1–1.51, P = 0.17).
Conclusions: Hilar location was associated with poorer trifecta outcomes compared to the nonhilar tumors. However, hilar location per se was not an independent predictor of overall complications and trifecta and pentafecta outcomes.
How to cite this article:
Tyagi S, Sharma G, Bora GS, Mavuduru RS, Sharma AP, Devana SK, Gorsi U, Kakkar N, Singh SK. Trifecta and pentafecta outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for hilar versus nonhilar tumors: A propensity-matched analysis. Indian J Urol 2021;37:318-24 |
How to cite this URL:
Tyagi S, Sharma G, Bora GS, Mavuduru RS, Sharma AP, Devana SK, Gorsi U, Kakkar N, Singh SK. Trifecta and pentafecta outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for hilar versus nonhilar tumors: A propensity-matched analysis. Indian J Urol [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 May 30];37:318-24. Available from: https://www.indianjurol.com/text.asp?2021/37/4/318/327365 |
| Introduction | |  |
With the widespread availability of ultrasound, the occurrence of incidentally detected renal masses has increased. Incidentally detected masses are usually small and are amenable to partial nephrectomy (PN). With the availability of the robotic platform, complex lesions, which were previously treated with radical nephrectomy or by open PN, can now be dealt minimally invasively.[1] Enthusiasm to treat complex renal masses with PN rather than radical nephrectomy (RN) is due to the superior functional and similar oncological outcomes associated with the former technique.[2] Multiple scoring systems have been defined to determine the complexity of renal masses.[3] Hilar tumors are complex tumors situated in the vicinity or in relation to the renal artery or renal vein. They present a unique surgical challenge due to the proximity to vessels and the lack of renal parenchyma for closure after PN. Location at the hilum has been recognized as one of the important variables defining complexity in the RENAL nephrometry score (RNS) and arterial-based complexity score. Robotic platform with three-dimensional vision, 7° of motion, reduced tremors, and superior suturing capabilities is more suited for dealing with such complex masses. After the initial feasibility study by Rogers et al.,[4] various groups have published their experience with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for hilar tumors. Hilar tumors tend to be larger in size and have a higher propensity of being T1b and T3 stage as compared to the nonhilar tumors.[5] Literature has not been consistent on the perioperative outcomes such as operative room time (OR time), warm ischemia time (WIT), estimated blood loss (EBL), blood transfusion, length of stay (LOS), overall complications, and margin positivity rate after RAPN for hilar masses. Eyraud et al.[6] in their retrospective review, reported longer operating time, longer WIT, and higher EBL but a similar need of blood transfusion, similar LOS, complication rate, and margin positivity rate for hilar tumors as compared to nonhilar tumors, whereas Dulabon et al.[7] noted a significant difference between the two groups only for WIT. In a similar study by Lu et al.,[8] the authors noted that the hilar tumors were associated with longer WIT and operating time. One major drawback of these studies has been a lack of matching for the baseline characters such as RNS which defines the complexity of a renal mass better than a hilar location alone.[6],[7],[8] Thus, with the present study, we intended to compare the perioperative and functional outcomes following RAPN in patients with hilar tumors with a propensity-matched nonhilar group.
| Methods | | |
In this retrospective study, we reviewed our prospectively maintained robot-assisted PN database from November 2014 to December 2018. All the included patients had previously undergone routine evaluation including kidney and liver function tests, hemogram, coagulation profile, and a triphasic contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) scan prior to surgery. CECT scan data were reviewed to identify all the hilar tumors by two experienced urologists and help of a third urologist was sought in case of discrepancy.Hilar tumors were defined as tumors originating from the medial aspect of the kidney, abutting the renal vasculature and/or renal pelvis along with renal sinus infiltration as documented on the preoperative CECT scan and corroborated intraoperatively.[7] The study protocol was approved by the institute ethics committee. Informed written consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Demographic data
For every patient, baseline demographic data including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), medical comorbidities, immediate preoperative creatinine, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated according to Cockcroft–Gault formula[9] were extracted.
Operative technique and variables considered
Our surgical technique and follow-up methods have been previously described.[1] All the surgeries were performed “on-clamp” and selective clamping or early declamping was not performed. All the tumors were excised with a rim of normal renal parenchyma. Duration of the surgery included time from the placement of surgical incision to the last wound closure. WIT was defined as time duration between application and removal of the renal artery clamp. EBL during each surgery was also noted and extracted for the final analysis.
Postoperative follow-up
Complications were determined as per the Clavien–Dindo classification[10] within a 30-day period. After discharge, the patients were followed up at 3 months with fresh creatinine to calculate eGFR at 3 months which was used to estimate the difference in the preoperative and the postoperative eGFR. eGFR was again calculated at 1-year follow-up. Two variables, i.e. CKD upstaging and 90% preservation of eGFR, were estimated by comparing the eGFR values at 1 year follow-up and the preoperative eGFR.
Pathological data
The histopathological data extracted were tumor size, stage according to 2009 version of tumor, node, and metastasis classification, histological subtype according to the World Health Organization classification 2009, nuclear grade according to the Fuhrman et al. classification,[11] and the surgical margin status.
Trifecta and pentafecta
Trifecta was calculated by including three variables, i.e., margin status (negative), WIT (<25 min), and complications as Clavien–Dindo classification[10] (II and below). We also calculated the pentafecta outcomes that additionally included chronic kidney disease upstaging at 3 months and 90% eGFR preservation at 1 year.
Statistical analysis
Categorical data were summarized as numbers and percentages and the continuous data were presented either as mean and standard deviation or median and range, where indicated. The statistical methods included Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact test for the categorical data. The normality of continuous data was first evaluated by Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro tests of normality. If the data were found to be normally distributed, then independent sample t-test, otherwise Kruskall–Wallis test was used for nonparameteric data. Propensity scores were calculated for each patient using age, sex, comorbidity, BMI, preoperative GFR, and RNS as the covariates and trifecta as the outcome. Then, 1:1 matching was performed without replacements for each patient on the basis of propensity scores obtained with a caliper of 0.01. All the statistical tests were two sided and performed with a significance level P < 0.05. All the statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23 (IBM corporation, New York, USA) and Stata (version 16; StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA).[12]
| Results | | |
From December 2014 to December 2018, a total of 221 patients underwent RAPN at our institute. Out of these 221 patients, 20 patients were excluded and 201 patients were included in the final analysis. Of the excluded 20 patients, 5 were excluded due to bilateral renal masses, 1 with mass in transplanted kidney, and 14 patients with incomplete follow-up data. There were a total of 48 patients with hilar tumors and 153 with nonhilar tumors. Overall, the median follow-up was 38 months (range: 18–48 months). Both the groups compared well for the baseline demographic characteristics such as age, sex, laterality, BMI, preoperative eGFR, CKD staging, and preoperative creatinine. However, RNS was significantly higher in the hilar group (8.2 ± 1.7 vs. 6.8 ± 2, P = 0.001). Pre-matching data revealed significant differences between the two groups for T stage of the tumor, tumor size, EBL, WIT, WIT < 25, need for blood transfusion, trifecta, and pentafecta outcomes [Table 1]. Hilar group was associated with larger tumor size (4.7 ± 1.7 vs. 3.7 ± 1.4, P = 0.002), higher WIT (28.8 ± 8.3 vs. 23.9 ± 9.1, P = 0.000), higher EBL (201.5 ± 175 152.6 ± 170.7, P = 0.019), higher need for blood transfusion (10.4% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.047), lower rates of trifecta (33.3% vs. 58.8%, P = 0.002), and pentafecta outcomes (14.5% vs. 28.7%, P = 0.049) [Table 1]. However, the two groups were not different for other variables such as the number of patients with CKD upstaging, change in eGFR, OR time, 90% eGFR preserved at 1 year, Fuhrman grade, incidence of clear cell carcinoma, incidence of benign or malignant tumors, margin positivity, LOS, and the overall complication rate. After performing the propensity matching for age, sex, comorbidity, BMI, preoperative GFR, and RNS, 41 patients were analyzed in each group. Seven patients in the hilar group were excluded since RNS match was not found in the nonhilar group. The two groups were statistically different only for WIT <25 min, tumor size, and the trifecta outcomes with the results favoring the nonhilar tumors [Table 1]. The mean operative time, WIT, EBL, and the need for blood transfusions were not significantly different between the two groups. Trifecta was achieved in only 14/41 (34.1%) patients in the hilar group as compared to 24/41 (58.5%) in the nonhilar group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.027). On logistic regression analysis in the postmatching data to identify the predictors of complications (Clavien–Dindo Grade 2 or more), trifecta, and pentafecta, hilar location of the tumors was not found to be an independent predictor of overall complications (OR: 6.37, confidence interval [CI] 0.5–69.4, P = 0.4), trifecta (OR 0.38, CI 0.14–1.0, P = 0.051), or the pentafecta outcomes (OR: 0.4, CI 0.1–1.51, P = 0.17) [Table 2]. There was no peri-operative mortality in either of the groups. Overall, two patients (one in each group) who had positive surgical margins developed local recurrence during the period of the study. | Table 1: Comparison of baseline, intraoperative, pathological, and postoperative characteristics prior and postpropensity matching
Click here to view |
 | Table 2: Multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of trifecta, pentafecta, and overall complications
Click here to view |
| Discussion | | |
PN in hilar tumors, a unique subset of complex masses, is challenging due to the close proximity to the major vessels and the unavailability of overlying renal parenchyma for closure. Furthermore, the hilar tumors have been reported to be larger in size, are associated with higher complexity scores,[13] are more likely to undergo RN[13] and have higher local recurrence rates.[14] With this study, we intended to compare the perioperative and functional outcomes in patients with hilar tumors with their propensity-matched group of nonhilar tumors.
In our study cohort, WIT, need for blood transfusion, and EBL were significantly higher for the hilar group prior to matching. After propensity matching, we noted comparable OR time, WIT, EBL, and the need for blood transfusion between the hilar and the nonhilar tumors. We compared our data set with the previously reported studies of RAPN in hilar tumors. Eyraud et al.,[6] in their retrospective review, reported longer duration of surgery, longer WIT, and higher EBL for hilar tumors, Dulabon et al.[7] noted longer WIT for hilar tumors and Lu et al.[8] noted that hilar tumors were associated with longer WIT and OR time [Table 3]. However, none of the studies had performed propensity matching for the baseline variables and most importantly for the complexity of the tumor (RNS). Hilar tumor location was also not found to be a predictor of the overall complications. | Table 3: Comparison of previously published studies comparing hilar with nonhilar group for robotic partial nephrectomy
Click here to view |
Regarding the pathological variables, our results are consistent with the previous studies. We did not find a difference between the two groups for the frequency of benign or malignant lesions, Fuhrman grade, nonclear cell tumors, or the margin positivity rate.[13] Tumor size was larger for the hilar tumors which is consistent with the previous studies.[7],[8],[13] Hilar tumors have been reported to have a higher T stage by Dulabon et al.[7] but not by Lu et al.[8] and Eyraud et al.[6] Our unmatched data showed that hilar tumors had a higher T stage.
In this study, we did not note a significant difference between the two groups for various functional assessment variables such as the eGFR difference, CKD upstaging, and 90% eGFR preservation at 1 year. Lu et al., as well in their study, did not note any significant difference between the two groups for a change in the eGFR at 6 months and 1 year. Similarly, in a study comparing hilar versus nonhilar groups for laparoscopic PN, the authors did not find a difference between the two groups for eGFR at 6 months.[15] Eyraud et al. also did not find a difference in the rates of CKD upstaging and eGFR change. Thus, despite the overall complexity associated with hilar tumors leading to a prolonged WIT and a higher EBL, as seen in some studies, the prospects of renal function recovery are similar to the nonhilar group. These finding suggests that once a successful PN surgery is performed, which has become possible with robotic assistance, the complexity per se will not affect the renal functional outcomes.
Trifecta (WIT <25 min, negative surgical margins, and no grade 2 or higher complications) outcomes were found to be significantly poor in the hilar group. This seems to be primarily driven by WIT <25 min variable of the trifecta. The increase in WIT could echo the difficulty in dissection, resection, and subsequent renorrhaphy associated with the hilar tumors. However on logistic regression analysis, hilar location of tumors could not reach statistical significance for predicting the trifecta outcomes (OR 0.38 [0.14, 1] P = 0.051). In contrast to trifecta outcomes, pentafecta outcomes were similar in the two groups and the hilar location was not an independent predictor of the pentafecta outcomes. This could be explained by a similar recovery of the renal parenchymal function at 1 year. We could not find a study comparing the pentafecta and trifecta outcomes for RAPN in hilar versus nonhilar tumors in the literature. However, a study by Sagalovich et al.[16] compared open versus RAPN and found similar rates of trifecta outcomes for both the groups.
There are certain limitations of this study; first, being retrospective in nature, it is susceptible to selection bias; however, we included consecutive patients in this study. Second, all the surgeries in this study were performed by experienced laparoscopic and robotic surgeons, thus the results cannot be generalized. Third, there could be a bias in the selection of the patients into the hilar group, as the definition is subjective with intra-observer variability. However, we tried to reduce the same by involving two experienced urologists to review the imaging and in case of discrepancy, help of a third urologist was sought. Fourth, the calculation of eGFR was based on Cockgroft–Gault equation which tends to overestimate and underestimate GFR in a given situation. GFR obtained from radioisotope renography would have been an ideal solution to this problem.
| Conclusions | | |
In this propensity-matched analysis, hilar location was associated with poor trifecta outcomes compared to nonhilar tumors in patients undergoing RAPN. However, the hilar location per se was not an independent predictor of overall complications and the trifecta and pentafecta outcomes.
Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.
Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | Bora GS, Mavuduru RS, Sharma AP, Devana SK, Kakkar N, Lal A, et al. Initial experience of robotic nephron sparing surgery in cases of high renal nephrometry scores. Indian J Urol 2017;33:230-5.  [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
| 2. | Van Poppel H, Da Pozzo L, Albrecht W, Matveev V, Bono A, Borkowski A, et al. A prospective, randomised EORTC intergroup Phase 3 study comparing the oncologic outcome of elective nephron-sparing surgery and radical nephrectomy for low-stage renal cell carcinoma. Eur Urol 2011;59:543-52. |
| 3. | Sharma AP, Mavuduru RS, Bora GS, Devana SK, Palani K, Lal A, et al. Comparison of RENAL, PADUA, and C-index scoring systems in predicting perioperative outcomes after nephron sparing surgery. Indian J Urol 2018;34:51-5. [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
| 4. | Rogers CG, Metwalli A, Blatt AM, Bratslavsky G, Menon M, Linehan WM, et al. Robotic partial nephrectomy for renal hilar tumors: A multi-institutional analysis. J Urol 2008;180:2353-6. |
| 5. | Cacciamani GE, Gill T, Medina L, Ashrafi A, Winter M, Sotelo R, et al. Impact of host factors on robotic partial nephrectomy outcomes: Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. J Urol 2018;200:716-30. |
| 6. | Eyraud R, Long JA, Snow-Lisy D, Autorino R, Hillyer S, Klink J, et al. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for hilar tumors: Perioperative outcomes. Urology 2013;81:1246-51. |
| 7. | Dulabon LM, Kaouk JH, Haber GP, Berkman DS, Rogers CG, Petros F, et al. Multi-institutional analysis of robotic partial nephrectomy for hilar versus nonhilar lesions in 446 consecutive cases. Eur Urol 2011;59:325-30. |
| 8. | Lu SY, Chung HJ, Huang EY, Lin TP, Lin AT. The perioperative outcomes between renal hilar and non-hilar tumors following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). J Chin Med Assoc 2018;81:676-81. |
| 9. | Cockcroft DW, Gault MH. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron 1976;16:31-41. |
| 10. | Dindo D, Demartines N, Clavien PA. Classification of surgical complications: A new proposal with evaluation in a cohort of 6336 patients and results of a survey. Ann Surg 2004;240:205-13. |
| 11. | Fuhrman SA, Lasky LC, Limas C. Prognostic significance of morphologic parameters in renal cell carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol 1982;6:655-63. |
| 12. | StataCorp. Stata Statistical Software: Release 16. College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC; 2019. |
| 13. | Correa AF, Yankey H, Li T, Joshi SS, Kutikov A, Chen DY, et al. Renal hilar lesions: Biological implications for complex partial nephrectomy. Urology 2019;123:174-80. |
| 14. | Shim M, Song C, Park S, Kim A, Choi SK, Kim CS, et al. Hilar location is an independent prognostic factor for recurrence in T1 renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy. Ann Surg Oncol 2015;22:344-50. |
| 15. | George AK, Herati AS, Rais-Bahrami S, Waingankar N, Kavoussi LR. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for hilar tumors: Oncologic and renal functional outcomes. Urology 2014;83:111-5. |
| 16. | Sagalovich D, Dagenais J, Bertolo R, Garisto JD, Kaouk JH. Trifecta outcomes in renal hilar tumors: A comparison between robotic and open partial nephrectomy. J Endourol 2018;32:831-6. |
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Perioperative, oncologic, and functional outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for special types of renal tumors (hilar, endophytic, or cystic): an evidence-based analysis of comparative outcomes |
|
| Xiao-bin Chen, Yu-gen Li, Tao Wu, Zhong-bo Du, Chun-lin Tan, Qiang Zhang, Xiao-dong Yu | | Frontiers in Oncology. 2023; 13 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Development and Validation of a Nomogram Predicting Intraoperative Adverse Events During Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy |
|
| Gopal Sharma, Milap Shah, Puneet Ahluwalia, Prokar Dasgupta, Benjamin J. Challacombe, Mahendra Bhandari, Rajesh Ahlawat, Sudhir Rawal, Nicolo M. Buffi, Ananthakrishnan Sivaraman, James R. Porter, Craig Rogers, Alexandre Mottrie, Ronney Abaza, Khoon Ho Rha, Daniel Moon, Thyavihally B. Yuvaraja, Dipen J. Parekh, Umberto Capitanio, Kris K. Maes, Francesco Porpiglia, Levent Turkeri, Gagan Gautam | | European Urology Focus. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
The View Outside of the Box: Reporting Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy Using Pentafecta From a Multicenter Retrospective Analysis |
|
| Lukasz Zapala, Aleksander Slusarczyk, Bartlomiej Korczak, Pawel Kurzyna, Mikolaj Leki, Piotr Lipinski, Jerzy Milow, Michal Niemczyk, Kamil Pochec, Michal Pózniak, Maciej Przudzik, Tomasz Suchojad, Rafal Wolanski, Piotr Zapala, Tomasz Drewa, Marek Roslan, Waldemar Rózanski, Andrzej Wróbel, Piotr Radziszewski | | Frontiers in Oncology. 2022; 12 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
