Milan Hora, Tomáš Ürge, Viktor Eret, Jiří Klečka jr., Ondřej Hes
Objective: A program for the laparoscopic treatment of kidney tumours was established at our institution in January 2003. Up to July 2007, 181 radical laparoscopic nephrectomies and 40 partial laparoscopic nephrectomies were accomplished. Nearly all kidney tumours in the Plzen region (over half a million inhabitants) are treated at our institution. Due to this fact, we have a representative spectrum of kidney tumours from the point of view of stratification of stages. In 2006, laparoscopy was a regular part of the kidney tumour surgery portfolio. We want to demonstrate the possibilities of laparoscopy in the treatment of kidney tumours. Patients and methods: All patients with the diagnosis of kidney tumour (D 30.0 and C 64) surgically treated at our institution from 2003 to 2006 were included in the study. Results: From 1/2003 to 12/2006, 430 kidney tumours were treated. In 2006, there were 128 kidney tumours: nephron sparing surgery was performed in 33.6 % of patients (43/128), nephrectomy in 66.4 % (85/128). Laparoscopy was applied in 50.0 % of tumours (64/128). In nephron sparing surgery, laparoscopic access was chosen in 39.5 % (17/43), open in 60.5 % (26/43). Nephrectomy was accomplished laparoscopically in 55.3 % (47/85), through an open method in 44.7 % (38/85). Conclusion: A laparoscopic approach is applied in approximately half of patients with kidney tumours. There is a slightly higher application of laparoscopy in nephrectomies and lower in nephron sparing surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is technically more difficult and more expensive than open surgery, but more comfortable for patients. The open approach remains an important part of kidney tumour surgery. For a more important role of laparoscopy in the treatment of kidney tumours, it would be helpful to concentrate patients to university and/or high volume hospitals.