[A comparative study of nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma]

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

A total of 134 patients with renal carcinoma without metastasis in lymphatic system and distant sites were recruited. In random, 69 cases of renal cell carcinoma were elected for nephrectomy and the others radical nephrectomy. The operating time, blood loss, fasting time, postoperative hospital stay, information of tumor recurrence and metastasis, survival time without tumor, survival rate and perioperative complication were compared between two groups.

In cases of nephrectomy, the operating time ranged from 60 - 135 minutes and blood loss 70 - 100 ml. In 4 cases, membrana pleuro-peritonealis was damaged. The fasting time ranged from 6 - 24 hours and postoperative hospital stay 5 - 8 days; the staging of all 69 cases was detected; follow-up studies ranged from 5 - 15 years, finding 1 case tumor metastasis in adrenal body and 1 case recurrent tumor in cases of radical nephrectomy, operating time ranged from 105 - 185 minutes and blood loss 150 - 2000 ml. Membrana pleuro-peritonealis was breached in 3 cases. The fasting time ranged from 12 - 90 hours and postoperative hospital stay 8 - 12 days. The staging of all 65 cases was detected. Follow-up studies of 5 - 15 years revealed 1 case of tumor metastasis in brain and 1 case of recurrent tumor. There was no significant difference in perioperative complication, tumor recurrence, tumor metastasis and survival time without tumor between those two groups (P > 0.05). The blood loss, operating time, fasting and postoperative hospital stay were less than that in radical nephrectomy group (P < 0.05).

In patients without metastasis in lymphatic system and distant sites, nephrectomy is both effective and safe. It has the advantages of a short operating time, a short postoperative hospital stay and less damage and blood loss than radical nephrectomy.