Superselective Ischemia in Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Does Not Provide Better Long-term Renal Function than Renal Artery Clamping in a Randomized Controlled Trial (EMERALD): Should We Take the Risk?

Background Superselective clamping of tumor-targeted arteries aims to eliminate ischemia of the remnant kidney while keeping tumor bed bloodless during excision. Objective To evaluate the impact of superselective clamping on long-term renal function, compared with renal artery early unclamping. Design, setting, and participants A randomized monocentric single-blind trial (1:1) was conducted from February 2018 to August 2019. Patients with a single renal tumor were candidates for a robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in a referral center. EMERALD (NCT03679572) was powered to include 50 patients with an interim analysis after 30 cases. Intervention Superselective RAPN (SS-RAPN) with near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) or conventional RAPN with renal artery early unclamping. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The primary endpoint was the percent change of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the operated kidney after 6 mo (combination of eGFR and relative function on 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy). Secondary endpoints assessed feasibility and safety of the technique. Results and limitations Relative eGFR reduction in the operated kidney at 6 mo did not differ significantly (–21.4% vs –23.4%, p=0.66). This absence of difference remained after adjusting on percentage of kidney volume preserved, which was an independent predictor of functional preservation. There were no significant differences in terms of blood loss, change in hemoglobin, postoperative complications, transfusion, and conversion to radical nephrectomy (two vs zero) or to open surgery (one vs zero). Despite a good accrual, the steering committee interrupted the trial after the interim analysis for futility given the absence of trend in favor of SS-RAPN. Conclusions SS-RAPN using NIRF does not provide better renal function preservation than renal artery clamping, questioning the interest of this technique at a higher risk of bleeding. Patient summary In this randomized controlled trial, superselective clamping of tumor feeding arteries did not show any advantage in terms of long-term renal function compared with conventional artery clamping.