Objective:
To evaluate the first experiences of laparoscopic nephrectomy operations performed in our clinics.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 61 laparoscopic nephrectomy operations were performed in our clinics during the period of January 2012-March 2014. Patients were evaluated with their characteristics of demographic data, duration of operation, amount of bleeding, hospitalization time and complications.
Results:
A total of 61 patients were operated of which 37 patients were operated due to non-functioning kidney, 23 patients were suffering from renal mass and there was 1 patient with malignancy of pelvis renalis. While the mean operation time was 153 minutes in laparoscopic simple nephrectomy cases, it was 188.2 minutes in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy cases. The mean blood loss was estimated 170 mL in laparoscopic simple nephrectomy in comparison with 172.6 mL bleeding in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. A case of renal tumor was complicated with massive bleeding and the operation was continued as open surgery. Two patients with non-functioning kidney and having renal calculi complicated with postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic simple nephrectomy operation and laparotomies were performed. Blood transfusions were indicated in four cases. There were 3 cases of subileus and only one case of intraabdominal abscess. Four patients suffered from nausea and vomiting and two patients complicated with fever in postoperative period. Nine patients had grade I, 5 patients had grade II and 3 patients had grade III complications according to Modified Clavien Classification System.
Conclusion:
Considering laparoscopic nephrectomy the more experience gained, the less complications and the shorter hospitalization time were observed. So, it is a preferable operation technique.
Keywords: Laparoscopy, nephrectomy, initial experiences, complication