Can RENAL Nephrometry Scores Predict Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Partial Nephrectomy?

Objective Preoperative imaging-based scoring systems help choose the intervention of choice and can help predict postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for small renal masses. The study aims to evaluate the utility of RENAL Nephrometry Score (RNS) in predicting intraoperative ischemia times, estimated intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy. Methods A total of 40 consecutive patients undergoing partial nephrectomy at a tertiary care hospital in South India were recruited into a prospective observational study. The preoperative imaging-based RENAL scores were obtained, and various intraoperative (ischemia times, blood loss) and postoperative variables (duration of hospital stay, change in renal function, and postoperative complications) were compared. Results A total of 80% of patients had low RENAL scores, while 20% had high scores. There was a statistically significant association between RENAL scores and intraoperative ischemia times(p=0.024) and tumor size(p=0.008). Other variables like blood loss, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and change in renal function did not show any association with RENAL scores. Conclusions The RNS is a useful tool in predicting intraoperative ischemia times in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for small renal masses. It can also be useful to predict tumor size in the final histopathological assessment of renal cell carcinoma. Comparative studies incorporating larger numbers of patients are required to establish statistically significant associations between RNS and the secondary outcomes proposed by this study.