Comparison of early experience laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy in terms of clinical, oncological and renal functional outcomes

Abstract

Objective: Although laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is minimally invasive, it is also a technically challenging procedure. Currently, open partial nephrectomy (OPN) remains the only alternative in many centers for T1 kidney tumors. We reported our initial experience of LPN compared to OPN regarding clinical, oncological findings and renal functions. Material and Methods: Between 2004-2013, 81 patients who underwent OPN (n=55) or LPN (n=26) for clinically T1 renal tumors were included. Perioperative and postoperative data were compared, retrospectively. Follow-up times for OPN and LPN groups were 72.9± 41.1 and 47.6± 32.4 months, respectively (p<0.05). Results: The mean tumor size and RENAL nephrometry scores were similar for both groups.  Zero-ischemia was performed in all of the LPN and 15% of the OPN procedures. Estimated blood loss and perioperative transfusion rates were higher in OPN group. Complications including grade < 3 and  ≥ 3 did not differ significantly between the groups. The decrease in creatinine-clearance at 6th month was statistically significant in OPN group, while stable in LPN. Positive surgical margin rates were 6.6% for OPN and 17.6% for LPN, p=0.19. One patient in LPN developed local recurrence and underwent nephrectomy. In OPN group,one local recurrence and one distant metastasis were observed in two independent patients. Both patients recieved tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Conclusion: Although LPN is accepted as a technically challenging procedure, LPN provided comparable outcomes to OPN including clinical, oncological findings and renal functions, even in the early learning phase. Zero-ischemia technique for LPN was feasible and safe with favorable perioperative and renal functional outcomes. Keywords: laparoscopy; learning curve; partial nephrectomy; renal cancer; surgical margins; zero-ischemia.