Robotic Nephrectomy vs Open Nephrectomy: Comparison of Complications and Oncological Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Many patients present in the late stage of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) which need to be resected, there are two surgical approaches (open and robotic). We aim to identify and compare the complications and outcomes following radical robotic nephrectomy and open radical nephrectomy. Materials and Method: Cross-sectional study, compares demographical characteristic, surgical procedure details, oncological results and operative complications between open and robotic. Patients were followed for six months after the surgery. Data were collected from the year of 2008 to 2016 for patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. Results: The study included 70 patients, (n:42) 60% open and (n:28) 40% robotic. Mean age was 55±14 years. Demographics were similar in both groups. Mean blood loss was significantly higher in open nephrectomy (p=0.042). Mean operation time was almost similar. Mean hospitalization length was less by half in the robotic group (p=0.007). Mean tumor size was larger in open group by 2.2 cm (p=0.018). A high number of complications was noted in the open approach compared with robotic in most categories. Seventy-five percent of the complications occurred in the first month, and only twenty-five percent was between 1 to 6 months following the surgery. Conclusion: Robotic radical nephrectomy for RCC has the advantage over open surgery in the amount of blood loss, operative time, hospitalization length and some complications.