Comparison of Partial and Radical Laparascopic Nephrectomy: Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes for Clinical T2 Renal Cell Carcinoma

Introduction: Nephron-sparing surgery has emerged as the treatment of choice for small renal masses. However, its role in larger tumors remains controversial. In this study, we compare the outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) vs those of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) for T2 renal tumors.

Materials and methods: Thirteen patients who had LPN and 16 patients who had LRN for T2 renal tumors were retrospectively analyzed for preoperative factors (age, gender, comorbidities, hemoglobin, and creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]), operative and perioperative characteristics (tumor characteristics, operative time [OT], warm ischemia time [WIT], estimated blood loss [EBL], length of stay [LOS], and postoperative complications), histopathologic results, and follow-up data (eGFR and recurrences).

Results: Tumor size was comparable between groups; however, tumors in the LRN group were more endophytic, central, and closer to the collecting system. There were no cases of positive surgical margins. Median OT was 160 minutes vs 230 minutes (p = 0.0029) and EBL was 25 mL vs 100 mL ([p = 0.0027], LRN vs LPN). Median WIT in the LPN group was 27 minutes, with three zero ischemias. Minor postoperative complications (≤Clavien-Dindo III) were noted in 6.25% and 23% (LRN vs LPN). Median LOS was 4.56 and 5.77 days (LRN vs LPN), respectively. Mean postsurgery eGFR was significantly lower for the LRN group (54.5 cc/[min ·1.73 m²] vs 76.3 cc/[min ·1.73 m²], p = 0.019). Within mean follow-up of 44.5 months, one tumor recurrence in the contra lateral kidney was observed in the LPN group and two cases of metastasis in the LRN group.

Conclusions: We show that LPN is technically feasible for T2 tumors, with acceptable intra- and perioperative outcomes. Furthermore, our results show a significant advantage in preservation of renal function for LPN without compromising oncologic results. Taken together, we believe that LPN should be considered for larger tumors based on technical feasibility rather than only tumor size.