LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY FOR BENIGN DISEASE - THE EARLY LEARNING-CURVE

The objective is to present our experience and results with laparoscop ic nephrectomy for poorly functioning kidney and compare them with rep orted series. Ten symptomatic patients (five men and five women, age r ange 14-62) with poorly functioning kidney have been treated by laparo scopic nephrectomy between July 1992 and October 1995. Seven procedure s were completed successfully. Complications occurred in two cases; on e of them underwent conversion to open nephrectomy. Mean operating tim e was 220 min (210 for laparoscopically completed procedures) and tota l inpatient stay was 6 days (five for laparoscopically completed proce dures). Laparoscopic nephrectomy is feasible and has potential advanta ges compared to open nephrectomy. These need to be evaluated with more extensive studies.