ABSTRACT

Purpose:

The aim of this article is to review the role of intraoperative ultrasound in decision of partial-total nephrectomy.

Results:

The major determinants in decision of the type of the surgical method are the pre-operative evaluation and staging. Abdominal computed tomography, or less frequently, magnetic resonance imaging are being used for these purposes. Intraoperative ultrasound is used for surgical guiding to detect the non-palpable tumors in open procedures, and to demonstrate invisible tumors during laparoscopic procedures. Standard sonographic equipments can easily be used intraoperatively when the sterility conditions are conformed. Additionally dedicated intraoperative transducers as well as laparoscopic transducers are avaliable for these procedures. The use of intraoperative ultrasound for renal tumors may include the detection of additional lesions in the same kidney, characterization of all detected lesions, investigation of vascular anatomy and technical asistance to partial nephrectomy procedure for a better result of surgical margin.

Conclusion:

Intraoperative ultrasound has been found to be helpful for partial / total nephrectomy decision in centrally located tumors with no apparent sinus invasion or vein thrombosis. The use of laparoscopic ultrasound in renal tumors, on the other hand, may be a suggested as a fruitful and productive field for investigators working in that area.