An Analysis of Renal and Surgical Outcomes of Patients with and without Preoperative Ureteral Stenting before Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Renal Malignancies of Higher Complexity by Using a Propensity Score-Based Approach

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the impact of preoperative ureteral stenting on post-operative outcomes, especially the incidence of urinoma, in patients with complex renal tumours undergoing nephron-sparing surgery (NSS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 35 patients received preoperative ureteral stenting prior to NSS for complex tumours at the University Hospital of Würzburg between 2002 and 2021. A control group of 115 patients was established through 1:3 propensity score matching based on age, gender, T-stage, and RENAL score. Clinical parameters, surgical outcomes, and complications were assessed, and statistical comparisons were performed using the unpaired Student's t test and chi-square test.

Results: While both groups showed comparable tumour complexity (RENAL: 7 vs. 7, p = 0.58; PADUA: 9 vs. 8, p = 0.62), there were no significant differences in median hospital stay (12 vs. 11; p = 0.068), surgical time (183 vs. 190 min; p = 0.37), post-operative haemoglobin levels (11 g/dL vs. 11.1 day/dL; p = 0.9), and renal function (GFR 65 mL/min/m2 in both groups). Moreover complication severity during NSS, defined by Clavien-Dindo classification, was similar (none vs. grade I; p = 0.29). No significant difference in the rate of urinoma was observed (11% vs. 4%, p = 0.93).

Conclusions: This study found no significant benefits of preoperative ipsilateral ureteral stenting on post-operative outcomes, particularly concerning the development of urinoma. Given these findings, preventive ureteral stenting is not recommended prior to partial kidney resection for complex renal tumours.

Keywords: Nephron-sparing surgery; Renal-cell carcinoma; Ureteral stenting.