Comparison of perioperative outcomes of retroperitoneal and transperitoneal minimally invasive partial nephrectomy after adjusting for tumor complexity

Objective To evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal (RP) laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomies (LPNs) while adjusting for tumor complexity. Materials and Methods Retrospective review was conducted of 191 patients who underwent transperitoneal (n = 116) or RP (n = 75) LPN. To adjust for tumor complexity, individual components of the radius, exophytic or endophytic properties, nearness to the collecting system or sinus, anterior or posterior location, and location in reference to polar lines (R.E.N.A.L.) nephrometry score were used in multivariate linear and logistic regression models to compare perioperative outcomes between the 2 groups. A propensity approach was also used to adjust for multiple covariates. Investigated outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL), ischemia and operative times, length of hospital stay, margin status, opioid use, postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, complications within 30 days, and readmission rates. Results Tumors resected by RPLPN were more likely to have lower complexity score by nephrometry (P = .04). Four of the 5 components of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score were significantly different between the groups. After adjustment for these factors, a lower EBL was noted in the RP group (β, -97; 95% confidence interval, -156 to -39; P =.001). Risk of readmission for the RP group was significantly lower (odds ratio, 0.15; P =.024) using propensity analysis. Conclusion Using adjustment for tumor complexity, RPLPN was associated with lower EBL and readmission rates supporting the potential clinical advantage for this approach when feasible.