Objectives: To investigate the renal function outcomes and contralateral kidney volume change measured by using a 3-dimensional reconstructive method after open partial nephrectomy (PN) or open radical nephrectomy (RN) according to the endophytic degree of tumors.
Materials and methods: We included 214 PN and 220 RN patients. According to the endophytic degree of the tumors, we divided patients into 3 groups. Patients were assessed for renal function and kidney volume change both preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months. Kidney volume was calculated by using personal computer-based software. Subgroup analyses was performed for tumor >4cm.
Results: Larger and complex tumors were more frequent in the RN group than PN group. Among patients with exophytic and mild endophytic tumors, the mean postoperative renal function was well preserved in PN group and the mean contralateral kidney volume significantly increased in the RN compared to the PN group (PN, 145.55 to 149.98mL; 3.0% versus RN, 143.93 to 169.64mL;17.9% p=0.006). However, in fully endophytic tumors, compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral kidney was similar between PN and RN (PN, 138.16 to 159.64mL; 15.5% versus RN, 138.65 to 168.04mL; 21.2% p=0.416) and renal functional outcomes were similar between both groups. These results were also confirmed in tumors >4cm in size.
Conclusions: In fully endophytic tumors, especially large tumors, the postoperative renal function and contralateral kidney volume were similar; therefore, we should consider RN preferentially as surgical option for these tumors.