Abstract

Objective: To compare the results of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with atrophic and hydronephrotic kidneys.

Material and methods: Clinical data were collected from 35 patients who had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomies for atrophic or hydronephrotic non-functioning kidneys between January 2010 and March 2014. Comparative analysis was carried out between the two groups examining demographic characteristics, imaging modalities, etiology, operative times, port numbers, conversion to open surgery, complications, pre- and post-operative hemoglobin and creatinine values, transfussion rates and length of hospital stays.

Results: Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed for atrophic kidneys in 20 (57%) patients and for hydronephrotic kidneys in 15 (42%) patients. In the atrophic group, 3 patients (15%) required transfusion because of bleeding but none of the patients required conversion to open surgery. In the hydronephrotic group one patient (6.6%) required transfusion and conversion to open surgery because of bleeding. Both of the groups were similar in terms of postoperative hospital stay but compared to the atrophic kidneys, hydronephrotic ones were associated with a longer total operative times (90.1 min vs. 73.6 min, p=0.03). Any serious  complication (except for bleeding) and mortality were not encountered  in both groups.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique that can be used in atrophic and hydronephrotic non-functioning kidneys.