ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy in patients with a transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and the ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients underwent nephroureterectomy for an upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Of these, 16 underwent a retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy(RNU) and 14 an open nephroureterectomy(ONU). After the retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy had initially been performed, a 5-6cm modified Gibson incision was then created to allow dissection of the lower ureter and bladder cuff and extraction of the intact specimen. A retrospective chart review was performed and the operating time, blood loss, analgesic requirement, ambulation time, interval to resume oral intake, hospital stay and complications assessed in both surgical groups. RESULTS: The RNU was superior to the ONU group with regard to blood loss(240.6+/-103.1 versus 519.3+/-62.3ml, p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy is better tolerated by patients than an open nephroureterectomy as the surgery for an upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, and is also an efficacious alternative to open surgery. However, a long-term oncological evaluation will be required.