To clamp or not to clamp – outcomes of the CLOCK trial for robotic partial nephrectomy

The benefits of partial over radical nephrectomy are well established. The CLOCK trial (CLamp vs. Off Clamp the Kidney during robotic partial nephrectomy) was designed as a multicentre, randomised controlled trial to generate evidence on the role of the off-clamp...

Is routine renal tumour biopsy associated with lower rates of benign histology following nephrectomy for small renal masses?

There has been a considerable increase in the detection of small renal masses (SRM). Approximately 20% of these turn out to be benign lesions on final histopathological analysis. Therefore upfront surgery can be overtreatment in such a group of patients....

Local tumour bed recurrence following partial nephrectomy

In this interesting retrospective study, the authors looked at the incidence of local tumour bed recurrence after partial nephrectomy (PN), the factors associated with that, and the management. A total of 2,271 patients’ charts were reviewed who underwent partial nephrectomies...

When partial nephrectomy is unsuccessful

With increasing use of partial nephrectomy (PN) to treat complex T1 tumours, the risk of conversion to radical nephrectomy (RN) increases. In this study the authors look at the incidence of conversion of robotic PN (RPN) to RN and analysed...

PSM increases risk of recurrence after PN for high-risk renal tumours

Positive surgical margins (PSM) for solid organ malignancies are associated with adverse oncological outcomes. However, for RCC the prognostic significance of PSM after partial nephrectomies (PN) remains a matter of debate. As PN is more increasingly being used to excise...

Risk factors for CKD following treatment for RCC

This paper concerns the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) following treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Over the last 10 years, partial nephrectomy has played an increasing role in the management of RCC, especially T1a disease. It has been...

The impact of seat belts and airbags on renal injuries and nephrectomy rate

Motor vehicle collisions (MVC) account for 3.6 million emergency department attendances and 34,000 deaths annually. The combination of lap / shoulder seat belts and airbag deployment reduces mortality by more than 80%. MCVs are responsible for 48-66% of all renal...

Does one-year decline in eGFR after radical nephrectomy and in matched living donors match?

In the May issue of BJUI Miki N Hew et al. discuss differences in renal function evolution between patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) submitted to radical nephrectomy (RN) and living kidney donors matched for age and gender. They also...