RESEARCH ARTICLE
Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy: Oncologic Outcomes
Andre Berger , Amr Fergany*
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2008Volume: 1
First Page: 22
Last Page: 25
Publisher ID: TOUNJ-1-22
DOI: 10.2174/1874303X00801010022
Article History:
Received Date: 28/2/2008Revision Received Date: 2/4/2008
Acceptance Date: 12/4/2008
Electronic publication date: 29/4/2008
Collection year: 2008

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose of Review:
Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU) is being increasingly performed at several centers across the world. This review analyzes the published perioperative and oncologic outcomes of this procedure.
Recent Findings:
Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU) for upper tract TCC is performed pure laparoscopically (LNU) or hand-assisted (HALNU). The most debated issues for oncologic outcomes are management of the distal ureter and lymphadenectomy. LNU appears to have superior perioperative outcomes when compared to open surgery. Although long-term outcomes after LNU are limited, intermediate term oncologic outcomes are comparable to open nephroureterectomy (ONU), the reference standard.
Summary:
Intermediate term oncologic outcomes for LNU compare well with ONU. Initial long-term oncologic outcomes are encouraging. Prospective randomized comparison between LNU and open surgery is needed to define the role of these modalities in the current context.