title: Hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy: comparison with the open procedure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report our initial experience with hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma and compared our results to those of a contemporary series of open nephroureterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data on 34 consecutive patients who underwent hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy were reviewed and compared with those on 34 who underwent open nephroureterectomy. All specimens were extracted intact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total operative time was similar in the 2 groups (233 versus 236 minutes). Estimated blood loss was significantly less in the hand assisted laparoscopy group (236 versus 427 ml.). During convalescence the frequency of parenteral analgesia postoperatively was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group than in the open surgery group. The former patients had a significantly shorter interval to oral intake and ambulation as well as a shorter hospital stay and convalescence compared with those who underwent open surgery. In each group the complication rate was 12% (4 of 34 cases). In the hand assisted laparoscopy group 1 conversion to an open procedure was due to bleeding. There was recurrence in 4 of the 34 patients (12%) in the laparoscopy group, including 2 with bladder recurrence and 2 with metastases, at an average followup of 13.1 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy is an effective and safe alternative to open nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawauchi
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fujito
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ukimura
authors.forename: Kimihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizutani
authors.forename: Tsuneharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods