Transabdominal Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy and CT-Guided Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Treatment of De Novo Kidney Tumors After Liver Transplantation

TL;DR

This study compares two treatments for kidney tumors after liver transplants, finding both safe and effective, with cryoablation offering faster recovery and lower costs.

Contribution

The study provides a comparative analysis of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy and cryoablation for kidney tumors after liver transplantation.

Findings

Both RPN and cryoablation achieved 100% efficacy in treating de novo kidney tumors.

Cryoablation resulted in shorter hospital stays and similar postoperative complications compared to RPN.

No tumor recurrence or mortality was observed during a median follow-up of 40.5 months.

Abstract

The management of de novo kidney tumors (DKTs) after liver transplantation (LT) is challenging due to previous transplant surgery and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI)-related nephrotoxicity. Minimally invasive renal-sparing strategies like robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) are favored, but a transperitoneal approach may be limited by the previous transplant surgery and the location of the DKT; in such cases, CT-guided cryoablation may be an alternative option. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to compare RPN and cryoablation for the treatment of DKT in LT recipients. The primary endpoints were the efficacy (R0 resection in RPN, absence of the tumor at first follow-up for cryoablation) and the safety of the procedures (postoperative morbidity and increase in creatine level). The periprocedural costs and the oncologic efficacy (recurrence and overall survival) were the secondary endpoints. Twelve LT recipients (91.7% males, mean age 65 years) underwent RPN (n = 6) or cryoablation (n = 6) for DKT; the median interval between LT and diagnosis of DKT was 142.5 vs. 117.5 months, respectively. Efficacy was obtained in all patients after RPN and cryoablation. Postoperative morbidity was 16.7% in each group, and the postoperative increase in creatinine values was similar. Hospital stay was shorter following cryoablation vs. RPN (3.1 vs. 6.7 days; p = 0.03). The mean procedural costs were higher for RPN. There was no mortality and none of the patients had signs of recurrence after a median follow-up of 40.5 months. Both RPN and CT-guided cryoablation were safe and effective for the treatment of selected patients with DKT after LT. When applicable, cryoablation may be cost-effective and provide faster recovery.

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