Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in first-trimester pregnancy

We present a case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman with renal cell carcinoma who underwent successful laparoscopic radical nephrectomy at 11 weeks of gestational age. The remainder of the pregnancy was uncomplicated, and the patient gave birth to a healthy baby boy at term. Although previous cases of successful nephrectomy performed in pregnancy for renal cell carcinoma have been reported, we believe this is the first case in which it has been performed laparoscopically. We suggest that when the expertise is available, laparoscopic nephrectomy is a safe alternative to open surgery, with the additional benefits of minimal access surgery. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.