Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: comparison of laparoscopic and open
Masao Tsujihata1, Norio Nonomura, Akira Tsujimura
1Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita Japan. tsujihata@uro.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Objectives:
We made a comparative study of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) and standard open surgery (ONU) for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.
Methods And Methods:
From July 2000 to February 2005, 49 patients underwent total nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma at Osaka University Medical Hospital. Of the 49 patients, twenty-five were treated with LNU, and twenty-four with ONU. Each group of cases was reviewed with respect to operative time, complications and postoperative convalescence.
Results:
The average operative time of the LNU and ONU group was 305.9 min (range 190-480) and 271.2 min (range 135-480) respectively, and the average blood loss was 321.5 ml (80-1370) and 557.7 ml (range 100-1730), respectively. The average time until ambulation after LNU and ONU was 2.2 days (range 1-3) and 4.0 days (range 3-5), respectively. No major postoperative complications were observed in either group.
Conclusion:
ONU still represents the gold standard for the management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma; however, for low stage cases, LNU offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.
