Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy Using Intra-arterial Renal Hypothermia for Highly Complex Endophytic or Hilar Tumors: Case Series and Description of Surgical Technique

BACKGROUND: In partial nephrectomy for highly complex tumors with expected long ischemia time, renal hypothermia can be used to minimize ischemic parenchymal damage. OBJECTIVE: To describe our case series, surgical technique, and early outcomes for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) using intra-arterial cold perfusion through arteriotomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of ten patients with renal tumors (PADUA score 9–13) undergoing RAPN between March 2020 and March 2023 with intra-arterial cooling because of expected arterial clamping times longer than 25 min. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: Multiport transperitoneal RAPN with full renal mobilization and arterial, venous, and ureteral clamping was performed. After arteriotomy and venotomy, 4°C heparinized saline is administered intravascular through a Fogarty catheter to maintain renal hypothermia while performing RAPN. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, renal function, console and ischemia times, surgical margin status, hospital stay, estimated blood loss, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median warm and cold ischemia times were 4 min (interquartile range [IQR] 3–7 min) and 60 min (IQR 33–75 min), respectively. The median rewarming ischemia time was 10.5 min (IQR 6.5–23.75 min). The median pre- and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate values at least 1 mo after surgery were 90 ml/min (IQR 78.35–90 ml/min) and 86.9 ml/min (IQR 62.08–90 ml/min), respectively. Limitations include small cohort size and short median follow-up (13 [IQR 9.1–32.4] mo). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the feasibility and first case series for RAPN using intra-arterial renal hypothermia through arteriotomy. This approach broadens the scope for minimal invasive nephron-sparing surgery in highly complex renal masses. PATIENT SUMMARY: We demonstrate a minimally invasive surgical technique that reduces kidney infarction during complex kidney tumor removal where surrounding healthy kidney tissue is spared. The technique entails arterial cold fluid irrigation, which temporarily decreases renal metabolism and allows more kidneys to be salvaged.