Ro. Parra et al., COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARD FLANK VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY FORBENIGN RENAL-DISEASE, The Journal of urology, 153(4), 1995, pp. 1171-1173
To evaluate the role of laparoscopic nephrectomy in the management of
benign renal diseases, 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy
were compared to 13 undergoing a classical flank nephrectomy. Both gr
oups were similar in regard to patient age and indications for surgery
. The underlying pathological conditions included vesicoureteral reflu
x, tuberculosis, hydronephrosis, hypertension and failed pyeloplasty.
Overall, operative time ranged from 105 to 360 minutes (mean 145) for
the laparoscopic group and 60 to 240 minutes (mean 156.6) for the open
surgery group. Hospital stay and interval to return to regular preope
rative activities were 2 to 6 days (mean 3.5) and 10 to 21 days (mean
16) for patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy, which was signif
icantly shorter than for those undergoing a flank procedure, 3 to 16 d
ays (mean 8) and 35 to 84 days (mean 32.3), respectively. Pain medicat
ion requirements were also markedly decreased after laparoscopic nephr
ectomy. Of the patients in the laparoscopic group 2 experienced compli
cations with only 1 requiring conversion to open nephrectomy. The lapa
roscopic technique is as effective as the flank approach for benign re
nal conditions, while providing a more rapid recuperation and superior
cosmetic result.