Ultrasound guided paravertebral nerve block anesthesia for percutaneous endoscopic laser unroofing treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts—an innovative ambulatory surgery mode

Abstract Objective This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of percutaneous ureteroscopy laser unroofing as an ambulatory surgery for symptomatic simple renal cysts under multilevel paravertebral nerve block anesthesia. Methods From December 2015 to September 2017, 33 simple renal cyst patients who had surgical indications were enrolled. Under ultrasound guidance, the T10/T11, T11/T12, and T12/L1 paravertebral spaces were identified, and 7–10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected at each segment. Then a puncture needle was placed inside the cyst cavity under ultrasonic monitoring. A guidewire was introduced followed by sequential dilation up to 28/30 Fr. The extra parenchymal portion of the cyst wall was dissociated and incised using a thulium laser, and a pathological examination was performed. Results Sensory loss to pinprick from T8 to L1 and sensory loss to ice from T6 to L2 were observed in all patients. None of the patients complained of pain during surgery. No serious complications occurred perioperatively. After the surgery, all patients immediately recovered their lower limb muscle strength, got out of bed, resumed oral feeding, and left the hospital within 24 h of admission. The pathologic diagnosis of all cyst walls was a simple renal cyst. The average follow-up was 35.8 months. At the end of follow-up, the cyst units were reduced in size by more than 50% compared to their preoperative size, and no patient experienced a recurrence. Conclusion Multilevel paravertebral nerve block for percutaneous ureteroscopy laser unroofing as an ambulatory surgery mode is feasible, safe, and effective for the treatment of simple renal cysts in selected patients.