Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients with neoplasia in a solitary kidney

Objectives. To assess the renal function and describe our operative experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in patients with solitary kidneys. Methods. The medical records were analyzed to find patients with a solitary kidney and renal neoplasms who underwent LPN. Demographic, operative, pathologic, and follow-up data were obtained. Results. Four patients were identified with solitary kidneys who had undergone LPN. The mean operative time was 251 minutes, mean warm ischemic time 15 minutes, mean estimated blood loss 395 mL, and mean hospitalization stay 3 days. The mean preoperative creatinine was 1.5 mg/dL and the mean peak creatinine 2.0 mg/dL. All patients returned to their baseline creatinine levels in the follow-up period. The final pathologic finding was Stage pT1 in 1, pT3a in 2, and angiomyolipoma in 1 patient. All surgical margins were negative. No cancer recurrence developed in the patients, with a mean follow-up of 17 months (range 3 to 35). Conclusions. LPN in patients with a solitary kidney is feasible and a reasonable treatment alternative to open partial nephrectomy. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.