To compare operative outcomes between the dorsal lumbotomy (DL) and laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) approaches for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing nephrectomy. DL operative technique is also described.

We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing DL nephrectomy at Emory University from 2008-2020. Cases were matched with control patients with ESRD who had undergone LN. Parameters evaluated included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, postoperative narcotic requirements, and complication rates. Statistical analysis performed with SPSS.

43 DL patients and 86 LN patients were assessed. DL had shorter total OR time (173min vs 198min; P = 0.001) and surgery time (101min vs 135min; P<0.001) compared to LN. There was a trend towards decreased mean length of stay among the DL group (2.65d vs 3.14d; P = 0.069) as well as daily narcotic requirement measured in oral morphine equivalents (54.8mg/day vs 73.6mg/day, P = 0.051). There were no differences in estimated blood loss, perioperative complication rates, ICU admissions, or 30-day readmissions. Limitations include retrospective design and small sample size.

Among patients with ESRD, DL was found to be safe and effective compared to LN, with shorter operative times, a trend towards decreased length of stay and post-operative narcotic requirements, and similar perioperative complication rates. DL should be considered as an approach for nephrectomy in this patient population.