Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026
5/6 Nephrectomy Using Sharp Bipolectomy Via Midline Laparotomy in Rats
Published on: April 4, 2025
Is there a clinical role for frozen section analysis during partial nephrectomy? A multicenter experience over 10
Giorgio Bozzini1, Mauro Seveso2, Javier R Otero3
1Department of Urology, ASST Valle Olona, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy - gioboz@yahoo.it.
Background:
Frozen section analysis (FSA) is frequently performed during partial nephrectomy (PN). We investigate the utility of intraoperative FSA by evaluating its impact on final surgical margin (SM) status.
Methods:
Between January 1995 and December 2005, a series of patients who were treated with open PN for renal cell carcinoma was prospectively analyzed. During PN, each patient underwent a FSA on renal parenchyma distal margin. If FSA was positive for infiltration a deeper excision was performed till obtaining a negative FSA. SM outcome of the FSA was compared with the final pathology report. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cost analysis on the FSA performed were analyzed.
Results:
A total number of 373 patients were enrolled. FSA was performed in all the patients considered for PN. Fifteen patients had a conversion to radical nephrectomy. Positive SMs at the definitive pathological outcome were found in 36 patients (9.6%). FSA was positive in eight patients (2.1%). In that eight cases after a deeper excision the definitive pathological outcome on SM was still positive in two cases. FSA revealed just 14.3% of the positive SM. Patients with positive SM had a worse follow up considering RFS (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that FSA did not considerably contribute to prevent recurrence (P=0.35). 1438 euros was the mean cost of performing a FSA during PN.
Conclusions:
FSA during PN does not reduce the risk of positive SMs. The use of FSA has also a higher cost related to the procedure.
