OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODSBetween April 2005 and March 2009, 47 patients were treated with minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery (LPN or LCA) for RCC. The LCA group included 18 selected primary RCC cases (14 men and 4 women, mean age 63 years). There were 6 tumors located in the left, 11 located in the right and 1 located bilaterally. The maximum diameter of tumors was 1.5 - 5.0 cm (mean: 2.9 cm). The LPN group included 29 renal tumors patients (19 men and 10 women, mean age 61 years). The maximum diameter of tumors in this group was 2.0 - 4.5 cm (mean: 2.8 cm). Changes of hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum creatinine (SCr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after operations were compared between LCA group and LPN group. The operative time, average intra-operative bleeding volume, postoperative hospital stay and incidence of postoperative complications of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSThe 2 surgical procedures were both successful. There was no significant change of Hb, ESR, SCr and GFR after operations in LCA group and LPN group (P > 0.05). The operative time was (94 ± 29) min and (146 ± 45) min in LCA group and LPN group, respectively. The average estimated blood loss was (37 ± 20) ml and (274 ± 69) ml. The postoperative hospital stay was (4 ± 2) d and (10 ± 2) d. These differences between the 2 groups were significant (P < 0.01). No laparoscopic operative complications were noted in LCA group. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesion. LCA group had completed a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21 months). No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no patient developed metastatic disease. 3 - 36 months' (mean 20 months) follow-up showed no recurrence of tumors or metastatic disease in LPN group.

CONCLUSIONSLCA for RCC is an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications, and is superior to LPN in operative time, intraoperative bleeding volume and postoperative recovery.