Adjuvant instant pre-operative renal artery embolization facilitates the radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy in locally advanced renal cancer with venous thrombus: A retrospective study of 54 cases
Abstract Background: The role of renal artery embolization (RAE) in the therapeutic armamentarium is always controversial. The present study aimed to assess the safety and the surgical outcomes of the instant renal artery embolization (I-RAE) prior to nephrectomy and thrombectomy in locally advanced renal cell carcinoma patients with venous thrombus.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated with nephrectomy and thrombectomy between Jan 2012 and Jan 2019. Twenty-four patients were treated by I-RAE before surgery. Thirty patients were performed surgery alone (Non-RAE). The patient demographics, operation time, blood loss, transfusion requirements, complications and other surgical parameters were analyzed between the two groups.Results: The mean tumor size in I-RAE group was significantly larger than that in the Non-RAE group (11.1cm versus 7.9cm; p = .001). The mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower in I-RAE group compared to Non-RAE group (596ml versus 827ml; p = .015), and the patients in the Non-RAE group were more likely to receive blood transfusion (RBC units, 4U versus 6U, p = .025; plasma volume, 200ml versus 400ml, p = .01). No differences were found in operative duration, ICU stay, perioperative complications and length of postoperative hospitalization. Conclusions: The adjuvant instant pre-operative renal artery embolization (I-RAE) is a safe technique. It facilitates the nephrectomy and thrombectomy by reduction of blood loss, transfusion requirements and complication of delayed operation, providing the urologists with a reliable option for locally advanced RCC with tumor thrombus.