A Comparison of Laparoscopic Enucleation with Preoperative Selective Arterial Embolization (SAE) and Non-SAE for Renal Angiomyolipoma: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic enucleation with preoperative selective arterial embolization (SAE) and non-SAE for renal angiomyolipoma (RAML), we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science Core Collection, ClinicalTrials.gov, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to May 2019. Pooled relative ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the perioperative outcomes assessing the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic enucleation with SAE and non-SAE.Results: A total of 4 studies were incorporated. The results showed that SAE group had a shorter operative time (SMD -2.15, 95% CI: -2.85 to -1.46, P < 0.001) , less blood loss (SMD -1.77, 95% CI: -2.06 to -1.47, P < 0.001), shorter warm ischemia time (SMD -2.57, 95% CI: -3.04 to -2.10, P < 0.001), and lower postoperative complication rate (RR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.98, P = 0.047), compared with the Non-SAE group. However, there was no significant difference in length of stay after operation (SMD -0.82, 95% CI: -3.26 to 1.63, P = 0.512), postoperative serum creatinine (SMD -0.59, 95% CI: -1.35 to 0.18, P =0.133), and GFR (SMD 0.59, 95% CI: -0.15 to 1.32, P =0.116) between the two groups. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results of our meta-analysis were robust, and deleting anyone study had no significant effect on the pooled results.Conclusions: Laparoscopic enucleation with preoperative SAE can shorten the operation time and warm ischemia time, decrease blood loss, preserve the renal function, and reduce the incidence of complications, which is a good option for the treatment of large RAMLs.