Transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for patients with dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease: an analysis and comparison of perioperative outcome

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate LRN as treatment for high risk patients. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) is performed for renal tumors not amenable to nephron-sparing treatments. Indications are increasing to include higher risk patients including those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) necessitating dialysis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a patient cohort with clinical stage T1 renal tumors undergoing transperitoneal LRN. Parameters examined included patient demographics, medical comorbidities, tumor characteristics, operative outcomes, and complications. Results: One hundred eighty-nine patients underwent 195 LRN. Sixteen patients (8.5%) had preexistent ESRD requiring dialysis. A higher American Society of Anesthiologists score (P<.05), higher age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (P=.003), higher incidence of previous abdominal surgery (P=.012), and higher incidence of hypertension (P=.025) were found for the ESRD group. Mean blood loss was 153.0 and 132.0 mL (P=.71) in the ESRD patients and non-ESRD patients, respectively. A longer stay (P=.02) was noted for ESRD patients. Mean tumor size in the ESRD patients and non-ESRD patients was 2.6 and 4.2 cm (P<.05), respectively. Renal cell carcinoma was the most common pathology in 14 of 20 (70.0%) ESRD patient renal units and 167 of 175 (95.4%) non-ESRD patient renal units (P=.001). Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 6.3% and 31.3% respectively for ESRD patients (P=.05), and 8.7% and 21.4% respectively for non-ESRD patients (P=.35). Most postoperative complications were minor. Conclusions: LRN, for the treatment of renal tumors in ESRD patients requiring dialysis, is feasible and safe with acceptable intraoperative and postoperative complication rates.