Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy: Comparison With Open Radical Nephrectomy

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Abstract
We compared the results of hand assisted laparoscopic and conventional open radical nephrectomy. Clinical data on 54 hand assisted and 50 open radical nephrectomies performed at our hospital from September 1999 to October 2002 were reviewed. Mean operative time in the laparoscopic and open groups was similar (194.9 and 180.7 minutes, respectively, p = 0.087). However, estimated mean blood loss (182.8 vs 262.8 ml, p <0.001), mean days to oral intake (2.6 vs 3.7 days, p <0.001) mean duration of an indwelling drain (2.6 vs 3.2 days, p <0.001) and mean hospital stay (6.8 vs 8.9 days, p <0.001) were significantly less in the laparoscopic group. In the laparoscopic group no conversions or re-explorations were required and no major complications occurred. Our findings suggest that hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy represents an effective, minimally invasive treatment option in patients with suspected renal cell carcinoma.