Wilms Tumor: A Retrospective Study of 32 Patients Using Videolaparoscopic and Open Approaches

Objective To compare videolaparoscopic nephrectomy and the open technique as treatments for Wilms tumor, specifically the surgical results, immediate and long-term complications, and patient survival. Methods A review of charts of children with unilateral Wilms tumor was performed. There were 2 surgical groups: (1) only open surgery and (2) videolaparoscopy. Complications, transfusion, ruptures, margins, conversions, lymph nodes, and relapse were analyzed. Results Seventeen children underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy and 15 underwent open nephrectomy. Mean surgical time was 164.71 ± 26.07 minutes for the laparoscopic group, and there were no conversions or ruptures. The mean specimen weight was 145.01 ± 105.85 g for the laparoscopic group and 257.40 ± 162.70 g for the open surgery group. There was 1 preoperative rupture in the open surgery group. Transfusions were not required in either group. The surgical margins were positive in 1 of 17 cases (5.9%) in the laparoscopic group and in 3 of 15 cases (20%) in the open surgery group. One of the 17 (5.9%) laparoscopy-treated patients and 2 of the 15 open surgery–treated patients (13.3%) presented with local tumor relapse. The 5-year event-free survival rate was 93.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.99) for the laparoscopic group and 79.6% (95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.95] for the open surgery group ( P = .446). Conclusion Both techniques showed similar immediate and long-term results.