A comparison of outcomes for standard and multiplex partial nephrectomy in a solitary kidney: The National Cancer Institute experience

Abstract Objectives To study the short and intermediate surgical, renal functional, and oncologic outcomes of multiplex partial nephrectomy (mPN) and standard partial nephrectomy (sPN) in the setting of a solitary kidney. Patients and Methods Review of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing solitary kidney partial nephrectomy at our institution was performed. Patients were stratified into 2 cohorts: mPN–where 3 or more renal tumors were resected and sPN–where 1 or 2 tumors were resected. Perioperative, renal functional, and oncological outcomes were compared. Results Ninety-three patients with a solitary kidney underwent a total of 121 surgical procedures; 43 (35.5%) were sPN and 78 (64.4%) were mPN. The total and major (Clavien Grade III and IV) complication rates between sPN and mPN were similar (57.1% vs. 70.1%, P = 0.2; 31.0% vs. 35.1%, P  = 0.3). At 12 months post-op, the percentage of patients with eGFR > 45 was similar in each group (sPN 87.0%, mPN 73.7%; P  = 0.2), and long-term hemodialysis rates were 4.7% and 6.4%, respectively. Completion nephrectomy was performed in 2.3% of sPN and 2.6% of mPN. At a median follow-up of 40.1 months, the metastasis rate was 8.6% in the sPN group and 4.1% in the mPN group ( P  = 0.4). Conclusions Partial nephrectomy in the setting of a solitary kidney can effectively preserve renal function. The renal functional and oncologic outcomes were similar in sPN and mPN, with low hemodialysis rates and complication rates within the expected range of these operations. Three or more tumors in a solitary kidney should not be a contraindication for nephron sparing surgery.