OPERATIVE STRATEGY IN LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY

Nephrectomy is a debilitating procedure because of the trauma to the a bdominal wall. Laparoscopy could be a solution in this matter. Four pa tients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy. In 3 patients with renal ca ncer, the transperitoneal route was used in order to obtain quicker ac cess to the hilus. In the fourth patient with benign disease, a retrop eritoneal route was chosen. There was no morbidity or mortality. Mean hospital stay was 5 days. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is safe and effecti ve. Larger series are needed for evaluation of the long-term results i n the treatment or renal cancer.