Laparoscopic warm renal ischemia in the solitary porcine kidney model.

Objectives: To determine the effect of a laparoscopic approach on warm renal ischemia in the pig with a solitary kidney. Although the maximal safe duration for warm ischemia during open partial nephrectomy is commonly accepted to be 30 minutes, the maximal safe ischemic time during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has not been previously determined.

Methods: Sixteen farm pigs underwent unilateral laparoscopic right nephrectomy.