The influence of surgical approach to the renal mass on renal function.

The National Kidney Foundation estimates that 26 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The high prevalence of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes places millions more at risk for developing CKD. Although long-term sufficient renal function is routine in screened kidney donors, CKD is present in more than 30% of patients with a newly diagnosed renal mass and develops in most patients who undergo radical nephrectomy and a portion of those who undergo nephron-sparing approaches. Herein, the authors review the effect of the surgical approach on renal function for patients presenting with a renal mass.