PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of open (OPN) and prone retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (PRPN) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical and radiological records of all children undergoing OPN and PRPN over a 6-year period (2002-2008) were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (11 boys/28 girls) partial nephrectomies were performed in a single institution. There were 24 OPNs (15 upper, 9 lower) and 15 PRPNs (13 upper, 2 lower) with a median age at surgery of 2.3 years and 3.4 years, respectively. Median duration of surgery was 50 min (range 30-180) for the OPN and 150 min (range 70-205) for the PRPN (P < 0.001). Median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-7) for the OPN and 2 days (range 1-5) for the PRPN (P < 0.001). One patient in the OPN underwent a total nephrectomy with a loss of the remaining moiety. In 20 (87%) patients of the OPN group an epidural infusion was administered and four required a morphine infusion, while only five patients in the PRPN group required a morphine infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Open partial nephrectomy had a significantly shorter operative time, but it was associated with a longer postoperative stay and higher analgesia requirements when compared to PRPN.
PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of open (OPN) and prone retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (PRPN) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical and radiological records of all children undergoing OPN and PRPN over a 6-year period (2002-2008) were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (11 boys/28 girls) partial nephrectomies were performed in a single institution. There were 24 OPNs (15 upper, 9 lower) and 15 PRPNs (13 upper, 2 lower) with a median age at surgery of 2.3 years and 3.4 years, respectively. Median duration of surgery was 50 min (range 30-180) for the OPN and 150 min (range 70-205) for the PRPN (P < 0.001). Median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-7) for the OPN and 2 days (range 1-5) for the PRPN (P < 0.001). One patient in the OPN underwent a total nephrectomy with a loss of the remaining moiety. In 20 (87%) patients of the OPN group an epidural infusion was administered and four required a morphine infusion, while only five patients in the PRPN group required a morphine infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Open partial nephrectomy had a significantly shorter operative time, but it was associated with a longer postoperative stay and higher analgesia requirements when compared to PRPN.