Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children: Does the approach matter?

Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is an established technique for the management of benign non-functioning kidneys in children. It can be performed either by the transperitoneal (TP) or retroperitoneal (RP) approach. The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of TP with RP approach for LN in children.

Between 2007 and 2019, 79 consecutive pediatric patients with benign non-functioning kidneys underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy by a single surgeon. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the approach; Group 1 included 41 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (TPLN), while Group 2 included 38 patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (RPLN). Comparison was done between the two groups regarding the mean operative time, complications, time to resume oral intake, need for postoperative analgesia and postoperative hospital stay.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy was successfully completed in 75 of the 79 cases. Four cases were converted to open surgery: 3 from the TPLN group and one from the RPLN group (p = 0.34). There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of estimated blood loss (p = 0.013), time to resume oral intake (p = 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.024). Overall, there was no statistically significant difference as regard mean operative time, overall complication rate, and postoperative analgesia need.

LN is now an established technique in children and surgeon experience is a limiting factor. This experience should be gained progressively with respect to both TP and RP approaches to deal with different indications by optimal approach. Both TP and RP approaches are excellent approaches and it is up to individual surgeons, based on their experience, which approach they select. In this study, a comparative study was made between both TP and RP approaches for pediatric LN. There was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches as regard success rate, mean operative time, need for postoperative analgesia and overall complication rate. In the meantime, RPLN had the advantage of lower intraoperative blood loss, shorter time to resume oral intake and shorter hospital stay.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children may be performed by transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approaches, obtaining equal safety and efficacy. The retroperitoneal approach seems to be advantageous in terms of lower intraoperative blood loss, time to resume oral intake and shorter postoperative hospital stay.