Randomized trial of laparoscopic v open nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clayman and associates first described laparoscopic nephrectomy in 1990. This paper describes the first randomized controlled trial to compare laparoscopic with open surgery for simple and radical nephrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2004, 45 patients requiring simple or radical nephrectomy (tumors as large as 8 cm) were randomized to either open surgery through a loin incision or laparoscopic nephrectomy (transperitoneal). Outcome measures included operative time, complications, hospital stay, pain scores, time to return to normal activities, and quality of life scores (EuroQol).

RESULTS: The mean operative time was 105 minutes in the laparoscopic group and 93 minutes in the open-surgery group (P = 0.4). Blood loss, complications, and the mortality rate were similar in the two groups, as was the hospital stay at a median of 4 days in the laparoscopic group and 5 days in the open group (P = 0.9). Postoperative visual analog pain scores averaged 3.6 in the laparoscopic group compared with 5.4 in the open group (P = 0.02). There was no difference in pain scores at 3 months. Return to normal activities was faster in the laparoscopic group at 42 days v 62 days in the open group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is associated with less postoperative pain and a faster return to normal activities than open nephrectomy.