Single-Position Complete Retroperitoneoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy with Bladder Cuff Excision for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Purpose: We proposed a new technique, single-position complete retroperitoneoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (SCRNU), which proved to be efficient for the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 86 patients diagnosed with UTUC at our hospital from June 2013 to June 2021. The patients who underwent traditional retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (TRNU) (n = 28) and SCRNU (n = 58) were consecutively enrolled. Demographic characteristics, perioperative parameters, and follow-up data were collected and compared between the two groups. Results: Both procedures were performed effectively in 86 patients without converting to open surgery. The mean follow-up time was 45.4 months for the SCRNU group and 39 months for the TRNU group. All follow-up patients survived without incidence of bladder incision tumor. Further, the follow-up results showed that there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of bladder tumor between the two methods. SCRNU group was superior to TRNU group because of shorter operating time, fewer perioperative complications, less postoperative pain, lower recurrence rate, and cheaper medical expenditure. Conclusions: The SCRNU technique is less invasive, have fewer complications, and has a better cosmetic outcome.