Gross intraoperative evaluation (GIE): a reliable method for the evaluation of surgical margins at partial nephrectomy.

To determine the efficacy of a new method called by us as "gross intra-operative evaluation (GIE)" for the assessment of surgical margin (SM) status. A total of 26 consecutive patients operated with cT1a-b renal tumors at a single center were included in this study. After the excision, the tumors were uniformly divided into two halves in the longitudinal axis ex vivo. In this way, margins were exposed for GIE for the evaluation of the safety of SMs. Findings of GIE were compared with the permanent section analysis in terms of SM status. Mean patient age, tumor size and margin thickness was 59 (38-79), 3.1 (1.5-6) cm and 3.7 (0.1-12) mm, respectively. In all patients, GIE showed intact margins and none of the patients had positive SM in the final pathological examination. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis with a mean follow-up of 25 (4-104) months. All patients are alive. GIE of resected specimen without FS analysis is a safe and effective method for the evaluation of SMs in partial nephrectomy patients.