Background: To assess the feasibility of laparoscope-guided minilaparotomy (endoscopic minilaparotomy) for renal cell carcinoma in patients on chronic dialysis.
Methods: Endoscopic retroperitoneal minilaparotomy using a 30 degrees telescope was carried out through single skin incision (5-8 cm) in eight patients with renal cell carcinoma who were on chronic dialysis. Outcomes of the operations were compared to those in eight patients on chronic dialysis with renal cell carcinoma who underwent standard translumbar radical nephrectomy.
Results: Resection of the tumor was successfully completed without complication and the postoperative course was uneventful in both of the treatment groups. No significant difference in mean operative time or mean blood loss was observed between the treatment groups. Wound pain was minimal and analgesics were generally not required in the minilaparotomy group. The endoscopic laparotomy group resumed full diet and began walking earlier than the group that underwent standard radical nephrectomy.
Conclusions: Endoscopic minilaparotomy seems to be a valuable alternative treatment for renal cell carcinoma in patients on chronic dialysis.