Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctioning kidney in patients with previous renal surgery

Performing laparoscopic nephrectomy in the setting of previous renal surgery may be challenging and associated with a higher complication rate. We conducted this study to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy among patients with a history of ipsilateral renal surgery.

We reviewed the chart of 193 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctioning kidney between April 2007 and March 2011. The study population was divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised 37 patients with a history of ipsilateral renal surgery, and Group 2 consisted of 156 patients with no history of previous renal surgery.

Baseline characteristics and preoperative variables were similar in both groups. Mean operative time, complication rate, and hospital stay were comparable between the two groups. A nonstatistically significant trend toward a higher transfusion rate was noted in Group 1 patients. The operation was converted to open nephrectomy in 1 (2.7%) and 3 (1.9%) patients of Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=.765).

Laparoscopic nephrectomy of the nonfunctioning kidney is a feasible and safe procedure in the setting of previous renal surgery and is not associated with a significant increase in operative time and complication rate compared with patients with no prior ipsilateral renal surgery.