LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY - THE WASHINGTON-UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE

Objective To report our experience of laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign and malignant disease of the kidney. Patients and methods Since June 25, 1990, 24 patients have undergone laparoscopic removal of the kidney at the Washington University School of Medicine (Barnes Hospital): 20 patients had benign renal disease and four patients had malignant renal disease. Results Of the 24 procedures, 23 were completed successfully using laparoscopic procedures; one operation had to be converted to an open surgical nephrectomy. The mean operative time was 340 min (benign disease) and 438 min (malignant disease). Postoperatively the mean hospital stay was 4 days; return to work or usual activities occurred after 3.4 weeks, and full recovery was achieved after 6.6 weeks. Conclusion Laparoscopic nephrectomy, albeit time consuming to perform, results in minimal post-operative discomfort, a brief hospital stay and a rapid convalescence.