Nephroureterectomy surgery in the UK in 2012: British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Registry data.

OBJECTIVE

To report registry data obtained by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) for nephroureterectomy (NU) surgery in the UK performed between 1 January and 31 December 2012.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: Registry data entered by each individual surgeon's team (self-reported) on all 6042 nephrectomy surgeries reported to BAUS during 2012 were analysed to identify all NU surgery. Parameters for analysis included demographics, indication, type of surgery, histopathology and complications (Clavien system) of surgery. Data did not include tumour location or multiplicity, preoperative diagnostic evaluation or details of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) undertaken. Before analysis for this report a central process of 'data-cleansing' was undertaken by a BAUS group to address any discrepancy between the listed surgery and the preoperative indication.

RESULTS

In all, 863 NU surgeries were included, performed by 220 consultant surgeons in 119 centres, and the median (range) number of NU per surgeon and unit was 3 (1-20) and 6 (1-29), respectively. The most common age group was 71-80 years (40%), most were male (64%), and haematuria was the most common presentation (74%). The dominant pathology was upper tract urothelial cancer (89%, 735), with final stage ≥pT2 in 47% (367), and the grade was 1, 2 or 3 in 6% (38), 36% (228) and 58% (362) respectively. Operative technique included MIS in 85% (720) and total reported operative complication rate (any Clavien) was 15% (128), of which Clavien ≥3 was reported in 4% (36), and perioperative death was reported in nine patients (1%). Advantages in favour of MIS included reduced hospital stay (median 5 vs 8 days), reduced major blood loss (3% vs 14%) and reduced transfusion requirement (6% vs 24%). In all, 76 cases (8%) were excluded from analysis based on benign pathology leading to reassignment to the 'simple nephrectomy' category.

CONCLUSIONS

NU is currently a low-volume operation (median 3 cases/year) within the remit of the nephrectomy surgeon, but is a safe procedure with a relatively low complication rate. Most NU surgery in the UK is now performed with laparoscopic assistance, with advantages including reduced major blood loss, reduced transfusion requirement and shorter hospital stay.