Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for the management of large renal tumors: Experience at a tertiary care hospita

Background: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is increasingly replacing open surgery as a standard, yet technically demanding, treatment for kidney tumors. The study aimed to evaluate some characteristics of large kidney tumors and results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for large kidney tumors at a provincial general hospital. Patients and methods: Twenty-five patients (14 men, 11 women) were diagnosed with pT1b stage renal tumor on computed tomography scan images and underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy at Thanh Hoa General Hospital between January 2017 and May 2023. Results: The patients’ mean age was 56.4 years. The average tumor size was 5.2 cm, with low, medium, and high R.E.N.A.L. scores of 20%, 52%, and 28%, respectively. The average operative and warm ischemia times were 87.9 and 25.6 minutes, respectively. The average blood loss was 86.8 ml. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in one patient, who eventually underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Regarding postoperative complications, one case had retroperitoneal fluid, and one case had bleeding and hematoma around the kidney. Examination after 3–6 months and at 3 years showed no local complications, metastases, or recurrences. Conclusion: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in the treatment of large kidney tumors (pT1b) can be performed at provincial hospitals, with safe and effective results.