The use of nephrometry scoring systems can help urologists predict the risk of conversion to radical nephrectomy in patients scheduled for partial nephrectomy

Conversion to radical nephrectomy (RN) in patients scheduled for partial nephrectomy (PN) is an important outcome that should be strongly considered during the decision-making process and adequately discussed with patients during their preoperative counseling. This unplanned event could be due to severe intraoperative complications or oncologic reasons. Intraoperative suspicion of hilar and/or perirenal fat tissue involvement, peritumoral venous involvement, tumor multifocality and/or iatrogenic rupture of the tumor are the most common conditions threatening the oncological safety of the procedure.