Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4
What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) can be performed by a retroperitoneal approach with similar efficacy compared to the transperitoneal approach. However, the oncological acceptance of LRN has been based on studies which have been carried out primarily by transperitoneal approach, and oncological results of the retroperitoneal approach alone are lacking.
Our study confirmed that retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is oncologically‐equivalent to transperitoneal approach in homogeneous group with the final pathological diagnosis of clear cell RCC.
OBJECTIVE
PATIENTS AND METHODS
- •
With emphasis on survival and disease recurrence, a retrospective analysis was made of 580 patients who underwent TLRN (472 patients) or RLRN (108 patients) at 23 institutions between January 1997 and December 2007.
- •
Inclusion criteria were clear‐cell RCC, stage pT1 to pT2 without any nodal involvement, and metastasis.
- •
Overall survival and recurrence‐free survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.
- •
To assess the association between the surgical approach and survival outcomes, Cox proportional hazard models were constructed.
RESULTS
- •
The median follow‐up was 30 months in the TLRN group and 35.6 months in the RLRN group. Both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Fuhrman’s grade, size of tumours and stage.
- •
Kaplan–Meier curves and the log‐rank test showed no significant difference between the TLRN and RLRN groups in 5‐year overall (92.6% vs 94.5%; P = 0.669) and recurrence‐free survival (92.0% vs 96.2%; P = 0.244).
- •
In a Cox regression model with age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, BMI, nuclear grade and T‐stage adjusted variables, no significant difference was found between the two surgical approaches.
CONCLUSION