Comparison of surgical outcomes after robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between patients continuing and discontinuing aspirin therapy: a Japanese single-centre study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate the feasibility of continuing aspirin therapy in patients with renal tumours undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Methods This retrospective, single-centre study included 106 patients receiving aspirin therapy who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The patients were divided into two groups, including those continuing and discontinuing aspirin therapy, and their surgical outcomes were compared. To minimise potential bias, variables including patient and tumour characteristics were adjusted using 1:1 propensity score matching. Results Aspirin therapy was used for ischaemic heart disease in 38 patients (36%), cerebrovascular disease in 21 (20%) and others in 47 (44%). Of the 106 patients, 49 were classified to the continuing group and 57 to the discontinuing group. After matching, 24 patients were included in each group. The surgical outcomes, such as changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate, estimated blood loss, and surgical margin positivity rate, were not significantly different between the groups. In addition, no significant difference was observed in haemoglobin level changes during surgery (continuing: −2.3 g/dl; discontinuing: −1.7 g/dl, P = 0.0676) and haemorrhagic complications (continuing: 8%; discontinuing: 4%, P = 0.500). Multivariate analysis of predictors for haemoglobin level decrease >2 g/dl or haemorrhagic complications showed that, whereas tumour complexity was an independent predictor, continuation or discontinuation of aspirin therapy was not. Conclusion The surgical outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between patients continuing and discontinuing aspirin therapy were not significantly different, thus suggesting the feasibility of continuing aspirin therapy in selected Japanese patients.