Comparison of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: A single‐center experience of 100 cases

Objectives: To report our experience with the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches of laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: Between July 2001 and December 2007, 100 patients with RCC underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy at our institution for clinically localized RCC. Fifty‐three patients received a retroperitoneal procedure and 47 received a transperitoneal procedure. The perioperative and oncological outcomes of these groups were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Mean follow up was 34 months. No statistically significant difference was found between the two approaches in terms of pathological stage, operative time, need for additional procedures such as adrenalectomy and/or lymph node sampling, estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusions, analgesic requirement, length of hospital stay, or the incidence of minor or major complications. The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was 90% for both the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal procedures. The 5‐year overall survival rates were 98% and 96%, respectively. Therefore, no significant difference was observed in the long‐term oncological outcome between the two groups. Conclusions: Tumor control and surgical morbidity in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy seem not to be significantly influenced by the approach.