LAPAROSCOPIC NON-ISCHEMIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY USING A MICROWAVE TISSUE COAGULATOR: A SINGLE-INSTITUTIONAL STUDY

: We retrospectively investigated the surgical outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), perioperative complications, and residual renal function in patients receiving laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator (MTC). Between January 2002 and December 2015, laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using MTC was performed in 49 patients. The histological diagnosis was RCC in 38 patients, angiomyolipoma in 4, oncocytoma in 2, and others in 5. A histologicallyproven positive surgical margin was observed in 1 (2.0%). Postoperative urine leakage occurred in 1, and it was treated conservatively. The mean follow-up period was 32.0 months. Although there was no patient who died of RCC, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients (4.1%) during the follow-up period. One of these 2 patients had a positive surgical margin. Deterioration of the residual renal function was not observed. Laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using MTC was safe and useful in terms of cancer control and preservation of renal function.