Nephron-sparing surgery--strategies for partial nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma

The use of partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma has continuously changed in the clinical practice. Previously it was mostly used in imperative cases, in patients with a solitary kidney or in patients with a risk of renal failure. An increased number of incidentally detected renal cell carcinomas are diagnosed due to the advances of the radiological methods. These tumours tend to be smaller and generally with a lower stage. The reported excellent results of partial nephrectomy have promoted the use of nephron-sparing surgery also in patients with a normal contralateral kidney and tumours smaller than 4-5 cm. The technical outcome is excellent with a low operative morbidity and a good oncologic control. Therefore partial nephrectomy has become a standard technique in the treatment of properly selected patients. Laparoscopy with its reduced postoperative pain and shorter rehabilitation time, has encouraged the interest in minimally invasive nephron sparing surgical techniques. Although low, the risk of local tumour recurrence and surgical complications are higher after nephron-sparing surgery compared with radical nephrectomy. Furthermore, long-term renal function remains adequate in most patients with a normally functioning contralateral kidney also after radical nephrectomy. Albeit these facts, there is convincing evidence justifying nephron-sparing surgery to be used routinely for patients with a small renal cell carcinoma and a normal functioning contralateral kidney.