Intraoperative and postoperative complications of nephron sparing surgery: prevention and possible treatments

Abstract

Conservative surgery for renal cell carcinoma has been widely diffused and performed in the last 15 years. It showed excellent oncological results in imperative and then elective indications. A greater number of small renal lesions are now being discovered, and elective partial nephrectomy has been adopted more frequently for the treatment of such tumours. However results regarding morbidity are extremely variable in the literature and the overall complication rate after NSS ranges between 4% and 30%. Fortunately, better patient selection, operating techniques, perioperative care, and surgical experience have guaranteed a significant reduction of complication in the last decade. The purpose of this review was to assess the incidence of complications of conservative renal surgery for renal cell carcinoma and to discuss treatment modalities.