Effects of Chronic Renal Failure on Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Nephrectomy for Benign Diseases? A Comparative Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) for benign diseases in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing hemodialysis with their non-CRF counterparts. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent LN between 2008 and 2019 was conducted. Patients with CRF requiring hemodialysis were defined as group 1 whereas those with normal renal function prior to surgery were defined as group 2. Operative and postoperative parameters, such as complications, American Anesthesiologists Association scores, perioperative bleeding, length of stay and Hb drop, as well as demographic data, were reviewed. Results: There were 22 patients in group 1 (13 females and 9 males) and 43 patients in group 2 (27 females and 16 males). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regards to mean intra operative bleeding (62.7±62.3 mL vs 55.9±54.7 mL, p=0.652) and Hb drop (0.9±0.8 g/dL vs 1.1±1.0 g/dL, p=0.475). The mean length of hospital stay was 3.8±1.0 days in group 1 whereas it was 3.4±1.3 days in group 2 (p=0.263). No conversion to open surgery was needed in the cohort. Complications were observed in 2 patients in group 1, both of which were blood transfusions and 3 patients in group 2 which were surgical site infection treated with iv antibiotics, delayed return of bowel movements and atelectasis that fully recovered after respiratory physiotherapy. Conclusion: Surgical outcomes in LN for benign urological problems in patients with CRF are comparable to those in patients with normal kidney function.