Comparison of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy versus open approaches to nonfunctioning tuberculous kidneys: a report of 44 cases.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively investigated the advantages of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctioning tuberculous kidneys by comparing its clinical results, operative methods and skills with those of open nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Clinical data on 22 patients with nonfunctioning tuberculous kidneys who underwent retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy, including simple and subcapsular nephrectomy, were compared with those on 22 who underwent open nephrectomy for a similar indication during the same period. Results in the 2 groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference between the retroperitoneoscopy and open surgery groups with regard to patient age, sex or mean operative time +/- SD (93.0 +/- 12.6 vs 92.6 +/- 35.5 minutes). Mean blood loss was significantly less in the retroperitoneoscopy group than in the open surgery group (78.3 +/- 60.6 vs 160 +/- 120.0 ml). Mean hospital stay after operation was notably shorter in the retroperitoneoscopy group compared with the open surgery group (3.3 +/- 0.9 vs 9.1 +/- 0.8 days). The mean analgesic requirement for opioids and diclofenac sodium was also lower in the retroperitoneoscopy group than in the open surgery group (0 vs 2.1 +/- 0.9 and 5.2 +/- 1.1 vs 5.8 +/- 1.3 doses, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for renal tuberculosis has several advantages over open nephrectomy, namely a smaller wound, less blood loss and more rapid recovery. It may provide a safe and reliable method for treating refractory renal tuberculosis clinically.