Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes after Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy in Elderly Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> We aimed to assess the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of patients aged 70 years or older following retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and compare their results with younger patients. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database identified 329 patients who underwent retroperitoneal LPN from January 2013 to October 2022. The patients divided into 2 groups defined by age ≥70 or <70 years at the time of surgery. A propensity score matching analysis was conducted to obtain two balanced groups. The groups were compared for safety (perioperative outcomes) and efficacy (oncological and functional outcomes). <b><i>Results:</i></b> After matching, all variables were well balanced with no differences between the two cohorts. No significant differences were found in perioperative outcomes, including operative time, warm ischemia time, blood loss, hospital stay, and complications (<i>P</i> values >.05). Concerning functional outcomes, postoperative glomerular filtration rate and decrease in glomerular filtration rate were significantly better in the younger group compared with the elderly groups (<i>P</i> = .003 and <i>P</i> = .001, respectively). Although margin, ischemia, complications rates were similar between the cohorts (<i>P</i> = .068), Pentafecta rates were lower in the elderly patients (<i>P</i> = .029). In terms of oncological outcomes, recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival were comparable between the groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Retroperitoneal LPN can be performed safely and with adequate oncological efficacy in elderly patients.