A new technique--"lipocorticoplasty"--for the closure of partial nephrectomy defects and its comparison with the standard technique.

Objective: We describe a new technique that can easily be used as a tension-free practical alternative in closing the renal defects resulting after open partial nephrectomy (PN).

Methods: A new technique (called "lipocorticoplasty") where "wrapped fatty tissue" was placed in the tumor crater to close the renal defects that occur following PN is reported in 10 consecutive patients who underwent PN between May 2006 and January 2009 (Group I). Patients were compared with equal number of consecutive patients who underwent standard open PN before January 2009 (Group II) in terms of operative time, bleeding, tumor size, drain removal time, postoperative length of stay (PLOS), complications, and functional and oncological follow-up.