Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an advanced procedure with potential for complications. It requires considerable experience with reconstructive laparoscopy.

To our knowledge we present the initial clinical report of laparoscopic renal hypothermia for partial nephrectomy. By replicating standard open surgical practice our intracorporeal ice slush technique has the potential to extend the scope of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to more complicated renal tumors.

We perform TLPN for all anterior or lateral tumors as well as for large or deeply infiltrating posterior tumors that require substantive resection (heminephrectomy). The limited retroperitoneal space makes RLPN technically more challenging but provides superior access to posterior and particularly posteromedial lesions. When feasible, we prefer to perform laparoscopic partial nephrectomy by the transperitoneal approach because of its larger working area and superior instrument angles for intracorporeal renal reconstruction.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for stage T2 renal masses (greater than 7 cm) is feasible and efficacious. Laparoscopic nephrectomy offers the advantages of decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stay and more rapid recovery over open radical nephrectomy for comparable tumors greater than 7 cm. Although surgical outcomes are comparable with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for smaller tumors (7 cm or less), adequate laparoscopic experience is necessary before performing radical nephrectomy for large T2 tumors.

This study confirms that the HALDN and RLDN techniques can provide kidney grafts with equivalent-length vessels and excellent function.