Impact of nephron sparing on kidney function and non-oncologic mortality

The surgical management of kidney tumors has significantly evolved over the past decade. Partial nephrectomy and nephron sparing surgery have emerged as the treatments of choice for most newly diagnosed kidney tumors at tertiary care centers. The trend towards an organ sparing approach is largely due to an improved understanding of the global importance of kidney function as well as the impact that kidney surgery may have on non-oncologic morbidity and mortality. In addition to reviewing the methods of evaluating kidney function, this article discusses the effectiveness of various nephron sparing techniques in preserving kidney function and improving non-oncologic outcomes.