Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: comparison of the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches

Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches have been introduced to perform hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The efficacy and convalescence of both approaches were compared. Of 26 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 14 patients were treated by the transperitoneal approach and 12 by the retroperitoneal approach at the same institution. The mean operative time by transperitoneal approach was significantly shorter than retroperitoneal approach (236.4 and 280.0 minutes, respectively, P < 0.05), but there is a steeper learning in retroperitoneal approach. A significant increase in operative time was required with an increase in specimen weight (r = 0.591, P < 0.05). There were no differences in patient demographic, operative, and convalescence data between the both groups. Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is safe by either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal approach. Making enough retroperitoneal space for the hand and instrument enables us to use the retroperitoneal approach readily. Patients with abundant fatty tissues around the kidney should be treated by the transperitoneal approach.