Laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign disease: The early learning curve

The objective is to present our experience and results with laparoscopic nephrectomy for poorly functioning kidney and compare them with reported series. Ten symptomatic patients (five men and five women, age range 14-62) with poorly functioning kidney have been treated by laparoscopic nephrectomy between July 1992 and October 1995. Seven procedures were completed successfully. Complications occurred in two cases; one of them underwent conversion to open nephrectomy. Mean operating time was 220 min (210 for laparoscopically completed procedures) and total inpatient stay was 6 days (five for laparoscopically completed procedures). Laparoscopic nephrectomy is feasible and has potential advantages compared to open nephrectomy. These need to be evaluated with more extensive studies.