[Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: A series of 17 cases].

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the Feasibility, the morbidity and the carcinologic results of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Material And Methods: Between August 2001 and December 2005, 17 partial nephrectomies were performed by laparoscopy in patients with a mean age of 59.2 years. Postoperative complications, the conversion rate, operating time, arterial clamping time, length of hospital stay and oncological results were studied for each patient.

Results: The mean operating time was 190 min, the mean arterial clamping time was 30 min and the mean hospital stay was 6.3 days. There were 2 complications including one postoperative haematoma requiring surgical revision for drainage and repositioning of a stent for urine leak. Two conversions had to be performed early in our experience. A tumour recurrence 2 years after the initial operation was treated by total nephrectomy.

Conclusion: Our results in terms of morbidity are similar to those reported for open surgery, but the recurrence rate appears to be slightly higher than that observed with open partial nephrectomy. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy remains a difficult operation requiring a learning curve even for a department that regularly performs laparoscopic surgery.