Objectives: To compare the results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy for benign renal diseases in children.
Methods: From January 1999 to February 2003, retroperitoneal nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy was performed in 23 consecutive children (7 girls and 16 boys). The median patient age was 4 years (range 1 to 13). The disease was on the right side in 9 children and on the left side in 14. Operative and convalescence parameters, including operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, resumption of oral intake, hospital stay, and complication rate, were evaluated in both groups.
Results: All laparoscopic cases were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were not statistically different between the two groups. No major perioperative complications occurred in any child, but a wound site complication occurred in 1 child who had undergone open surgery. The median hospital stay of the open group was 4 days (range 3 to 14), significantly longer than that of the laparoscopic group (median 2.5 days, range 2 to 6; P = 0.018). The cosmetic results of the laparoscopic group were excellent; the scars from the trocar sites were barely discernible at the initial postoperative visit. Convalescence was uneventful in all patients.
Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy may be performed for benign disease in children with minimal morbidity, improved cosmetic results, and a short hospital stay. Our findings indicate that retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy is appropriate in children and superior, in some instances, to open surgery.