LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY - REVIEW OF THE INITIAL 10 CASES

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a new procedure in which the kidney is removed via a laparoscopic approach using a surgical entrapment sack and a high-speed 10-mm electrical tissue morcellator. Herein, we report the initial clinical experience with this procedure in 10 consecutive patients. The average operating room time was 5.5 hours. The hospital stay averaged 4.9 days, and convalescence occurred over 12 days. Two patients received a blood transfusion(s). At present, laparoscopic nephrectomy is our method of choice for patients requiring a nephrectomy for benign renal disease. The technology developed for this procedure may be helpful to surgeons in other disciplines, as the method of organ entrapment and morcellation can be applied to the removal of other intra-abdominal or pelvic organs.