Analysis of spinal motion range, thoracic mobility, and abdominal muscle strength in patients operated on for renal cell carcinoma – a pilot, observational cross-sectional study at 3 to 5 years after the surgery

Purpose With the prolongation of overall survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma, evaluation of the impact of the type of surgical procedure on patients’performance status is gaining particular importance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the balance and spinal motion range in patients having undergone total or partial renal resection. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out ina group of patients having received surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology of the Dr. Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz 3 to 5 years prior to the inclusion. A total of 31 patients had undergone nephron-sparing surgery [NSS] while another 33 patients had undergone radical nephrectomy [RN]. The control group [CG] consisted of 24 age-range-matched patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the range of motion in the spinal joints, thoracic mobility, and abdominal muscle strength. Results Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences between the study groups as regards the following parameters: total spine flexion (p = 0.0001), thoracic spine flexion (p < 0.0001), lumbar spine flexion (p < 0.0001), thoracic mobility (inhalation vs. exhalation) (p < 0.0001), rectus and oblique abdominal muscle strength (p < 0.0001). In all the aforementioned parameters, higher scores corresponded to better mobility. Higher scores and better range of motion in spinal joints were observed in the control group. No statistically significant differences between the groups (NSS, RN and CG) were observed in lumbar spine extension (backward inclination) (p > 0.05). Conclusions Surgical treatment within the kidneys is associated with reduction in the range of spinal motion, thoracic mobility, and abdominal muscle strength regardless of the type of surgery performed (nephron-sparing surgery vs. radical nephrectomy).