Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy: Assessing complication risk in cases of previous abdominal surgery

We aimed to assess the effect of previous abdominal surgery on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic partial (LPN) or radical (LRN) nephrectomy for renal masses.

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of LPN and LRN for renal masses at our institution between 2008 and 2014. Patients were divided in two groups, those with and without prior abdominal surgery. Four perioperative outcomes were compared, namely, operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), and 30-days complications rate. A subanalysis was performed to address the impact of previous open cholecystectomy on right LPN or LRN.

Of 293 patients identified, 146 (49.8%) had previous abdominal surgery. In univariate analysis, no differences in operative time (136 vs. 144 minutes; p=0.154), EBL (88 vs. 100 mL; p=0.211), or 30-day complication rate (24 vs. 14%; p=0.069) were recorded between the groups. Only LOS favoured patients without previous abdominal surgery (3 vs. 4 days; p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, prior abdominal surgery was not associated with an increased OT, EBL, LOS, or complication rate. The analysis of right nephrectomies showed increased OT (148 vs. 128 minutes; p=0.049) and complication rate (42 vs. 16%; p=0.004) for patients with past open cholecystectomy compared to those without. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior open cholecystectomy was associated with a longer LOS (OR_median=2.7 [1.2-8.0]) and an increased risk of complications (OR_median=4.5 [1.6-10.5]).

In this cohort, previous abdominal surgery was not associated with worse perioperative outcomes after transperitoneal LPN and LRN for renal masses. However, previous open cholecystectomy resulted in a higher risk of complication and a longer LOS in patients undergoing right laparoscopic nephrectomy.