It remains unclear whether laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for primary treatment of small renal masses is similar to partial nephrectomy (PN) in terms of long-term oncological and renal function outcomes. We reviewed the long-term outcomes for patients with T1a renal masses treated with either laparoscopic RFA or PN.
This retrospective single-center study on 115 patients who were treated by laparoscopic RFA or PN for small (<4 cm) renal masses between January 2005 and October 2014 was performed at Chungnam National University Hospital. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured before and 1-2 weeks after surgery and at last follow-up. The laparoscopic RFA and PN groups were compared in terms of clinical characteristics data and change in eGFR after surgery using the Chi-squared test or Student's t-test. Survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.
Of the 115 patients, 62 and 53 underwent laparoscopic RFA and PN, respectively. Their mean (range) follow-up duration was 60 (30-104) and 68 (30-149) months, respectively (p=0.092). The RFA patients were older (p=0.023) and had smaller tumors (p=0.000). RFA associated with shorter operation and hospitalization times and less perioperative blood loss (all p=0.000). The groups did not differ in terms of change in eGFR 1-2 weeks after surgery (p=0.252) or at the last follow-up (p=0.395) or 5 year survival rates (p=0.360).
Laparoscopic RFA for small renal masses was comparable to PN in terms of oncological and functional outcomes and associated with shorter operative and hospitalization times and less perioperative bleeding.
Urology journal. 2018 Aug 18 [Epub ahead of print]
Jong Mok Park, Seung Woo Yang, Ju Hyun Shin, Yong Gil Na, Ki Hak Song, Jae Sung Lim
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea. ., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea.