Coloepiploic mobilization during left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma is indicated to reduce the risk of iatrogenic splenectomy.

Objectives: To determine whether coloepiploic mobilization (CEM) is indicated to reduce the incidence of iatrogenic splenectomy during left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. The incidence of iatrogenic splenectomy during a left nephrectomy is estimated to be between 1.4% and 24%. In a recent study, we reported that the incidence of iatrogenic splenectomy was 8% during a left nephrectomy performed for renal cell carcinoma through a transperitoneal anterior subcostal incision.

Methods: A left radical nephrectomy was performed in 233 consecutive patients for renal cell carcinoma through a transperitoneal anterior subcostal incision with a CEM procedure in which the left colonic flexure was completely detached from the epiploa. Perioperative and postoperative complications, including splenic injury, were noted in a database. The mean patient age was 51.3 years (range 21.3 to 90.2). The mean tumor size was 58 mm (range 15 to 230).

Results: An iatrogenic splenectomy was required in 3 patients, and in 1 patient, a splenic injury was treated conservatively. The incidence of iatrogenic splenectomy accompanying left radical nephrectomy was 1.3%. The mean operative time was 120 minutes (range 80 to 240). The mean time to normal gut motility was 3.4 days (range 2 to 11) and to discharge from the hospital it was 9.3 days (range 6 to 19). Regarding CEM, we did not observe any significant abdominal complications.

Conclusions: The incidence of iatrogenic splenectomy during a left radical nephrectomy through a transperitoneal anterior subcostal incision may be reduced by performing the technique of CEM.