Purpose: We evaluated the technical feasibility and followup outcomes of a nephron sparing operation for localized renal cell carcinoma and von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Materials and methods: Our 5 patients underwent initial nephron sparing surgery followed by serial computerized tomography.
Results: All but 1 renal lesion was resected in 9 initial nephron sparing operations. Postoperative computerized tomography revealed 35 lesions of which 8 had enlarged. Four patients underwent secondary renal surgery and adequate renal function was preserved.
Conclusions: Even with the high risk of local recurrence nephron sparing surgery is an appropriate approach for these patients.