Short-term outcomes of pyeloplasty vs. nephrectomy in adult patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and differential renal function ≤15%

Abstract

Objectives

To compare symptom resolution and short-term renal function after pyeloplasty or nephrectomy in adults with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in poorly functioning renal units (PFRU).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of adult patients with UPJO and differential renal function (DRF) ≤ 15% who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty or nephrectomy. Primary endpoints included symptom resolution and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12 months. Surgical complications were compared between groups. A secondary analysis was performed comparing baseline and postoperative DRF to evaluate the PFRU recovery potential after pyeloplasty.

Results

Sixty-three patients were included; 19 underwent pyeloplasty and 44 underwent nephrectomy. The mean age of the cohort was 39.5 ± 13.8 years. Nephrectomy was associated with significantly higher intra-operative blood loss (p = 0.02). Operative time and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between groups. There were three complications in the nephrectomy group, and none in the pyeloplasty group (p = 0.34). Symptom resolution rates were equivalent between groups (73% vs. 76%; p = 0.78). The eGFR variation was not statistically different after pyeloplasty or nephrectomy (+6.2 vs. +0.1 mL/min/1.73m², respectively; p = 0.18). Patients undergoing pyeloplasty had no significant change in the mean DRF (baseline 9.5 vs. 10%; p = 0.99).

Conclusion

Pyeloplasty can be considered for selected patients with UPJO in PFRU as an organ-sparing alternative to nephrectomy. Although there was no significant gain in mean DRF, pyeloplasty prevented further functional loss and relieved symptoms in most cases in the short-term with at least the same complication rates of nephrectomy.

Keywords:

• Pyeloplasty
• ureteropelvic junction obstruction
• nephrectomy
• split renal function
• differential renal function

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. There were no specific funding grant or agencies for this study.