Functional, oncological outcomes and safety of nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma with high anatomical complexity: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching method

BACKGROUND: Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is widely applied for small renal masses. However, the indication of NSS in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with high anatomical complexity is controversial. Thus, we compare functional and oncological outcomes, and safety of NSS versus radical nephrectomy (RN) in patients with localised RCC with high anatomical complexity Radius, Exophytic/endophytic, Nearness, Anterior/posterior, Location. (R.E.N.A.L.) score ≥10. METHODS: We evaluated 575 patients with localised RCC that underwent NSS or RN at our centre between January 2013 and December 2018. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, tumour data, surgery procedure, perioperative data and survival data were recorded. After propensity score matching, the variables were compared by binary paired logistic regression. The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared with covariance analysis adjusted for baseline value. Recurrence and survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: In the matched group, NSS showed lower eGFR loss compared with the RN group (17.81 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs 28.28 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p<0.001). Moreover, the recurrence-free survival (p=0.002), cardiocerebrovascular disease-specific survival (p=0.015) and overall survival (p=0.017) of patients with NSS were better than those that underwent RN. Cancer-specific survival in both groups showed no difference (p=0.323). The incidence of minor and major complications in the two groups showed no difference (p=0.144, p=0.108). CONCLUSION: NSS resulted in better preservation of renal function and oncological outcomes compared with RN, with acceptable complications. These findings could help improve clinical decision making for patients with localised RCC with high anatomical complexity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2000040652.