OBJECTIVETo study the safety and effects of mini-margin nephron sparing surgery (NSS) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODSFrom January 1998 to December 2006, 115 cases of RCC with diameter of 4 cm or less and stage of T1aN0M0 were treated with NSS using a margin of 5 mm or more. The mean diameter of the tumors was 3.3 cm (range 1.0-4.0 cm). Of the cases, 3 were with synchronous bilateral cancer while 112 cases were with normal opposite kidneys. The clinical results were followed and analyzed.

RESULTSAll of the operations were technically successful. The mean duration of surgical procedures was 90 min (ranged 80-120 min). The blood loss was 50 -200 ml. No patient needed blood transfusion. Renal arteries were occluded in 98 cases under hypothermic technique for a mean duration of 22 min (20-25 min). While in 17 cases, renal parenchyma squeezing was used for bleeding control. All of the 115 cases were of negative margin by weather frozen or routine pathologic study. The mean follow-up was 62 months (6-96 months). Local recurrence was found in 1 case during follow-up, with a local recurrence rate of 0.9%, while no distant metastasis was detected. All the patients were alive with no evidence of tumor bearing until last evaluation. Secondary gross hematuria occurred in 3 cases during hospital stay and cured by bed limitation. There were no major complications such as bleeding and urinary leakage or urinoma requiring re-operation.

CONCLUSIONSMini-margin nephron sparing surgery is likewise safe and effective in treating early localized renal cell carcinoma 4 cm or less. It provides excellent renal function preservation, favorable long-term progression-free survival, and is not associated with an increased risk of local recurrence.