Partial nephrectomy: Mayo Clinic experience 1957--1977.

Three hundred and six partial nephrectomies were performed at Mayo Clinic between 1957 and 1977. Operative and postoperative risks were analyzed according to the indication for surgery, type of partial nephrectomy performed, and other factors. The results demonstrate that partial nephrectomy performed by modern techniques is safe, with acceptable operative time, operative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay. Complications encountered also were investigated. One death occurred, 8 delayed nephrectomies were required, in 2 patients delayed renal hemorrhage developed, 10 had urinary fistulas or urinomas, and in 16 patients wound infections developed. Study of the techniques used in those cases with postoperative complications suggests several approaches to reduce still further the morbidity of partial nephrectomy.