Complications of Nephron Sparing Surgery for Renal Tumors

The technical results of 259 nephron sparing operations for renal cell carcinoma or renal oncocytoma were reviewed. Local or renal related complications occurred after 78 procedures (30.1%). The incidence of complications was less for operations performed after 1988 (22% versus 37%, p = 0.009) and for incidentally detected versus suspected tumors (p = 0.009). The most common complications were urinary fistula formation (45 operations) and acute renal failure (33). Significant predisposing factors for urinary fistula formation included central tumor location (p = 0.001), tumor size greater than 4 cm. (p = 0.001), the need for major reconstruction of the collecting system (p = 0.001) and ex vivo surgery (p = 0.001). Only 1 urinary fistula required open operative repair, while the remainder resolved either spontaneously (30) or with endoscopic management (14). Significant predisposing factors for acute renal failure included a solitary kidney (p = 0.001), tumor size greater than 7 cm. (p = 0.008), greater than 50% parenchymal excision (p = 0.001), greater than 60 minutes of ischemia time (p = 0.035) and ex vivo surgery (p = 0.001). Acute renal failure resolved in 28 patients, of whom 9 required temporary dialysis, while 5 required permanent dialysis. Overall, 8 complications (3.1%) required repeat open surgery for treatment while all other complications resolved with noninterventive or endourological management. Surgical complications contributed to an adverse clinical outcome in only 7 patients (2.9%). Nephron sparing surgery can be performed safely with preservation of renal function in most patients with renal tumors.