Perioperative outcomes for laparoscopic radical nephrectomies performed on ≥ 10 cm tumors.

Abstract The role of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in the management of very large renal masses has yet to be determined. Moreover, no studies have considered the total size of the specimen removed. We report our experience managing renal masses ≥ 10 cm with transperitoneal LRN. We retrospectively reviewed cases of LRN performed in the context of renal masses from 2006 to 2012 at our institution. LRNs were divided into two groups; tumors 10 cm or larger (n = 24) and tumors smaller than 10 cm (n = 124). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative and perioperative outcomes were compared. Complication rate was assessed in relation to tumor and specimen size. Mean pathologic tumor size was 11.8 cm (range 10.0 cm-17.0 cm) and 5.8 cm (range 2.1 cm-9.5 cm) for tumors ≥ 10 cm and