Laparoscopy in urology

Advances in laparoscopic equipment and instrumentation have led to new applications in nearly all fields of surgery. This article describes the major laparoscopic procedures being performed in urology in the year 2000. Laparoscopic applications range from simple staging and diagnostic procedures, such as pelvic lymphadenectomy and assessment of the nonpalpable testis, to major extirpations for malignancy, including radical nephrectomy and nephrourectomy. Laparoscopic operations for benign renal disease. such as cyst decortication, pyeloplasty and simple and donor nephrectomy, also are presented. As the volume of cases and the length of follow up increase, these procedures will continue to challenge the "gold standard" therapies of urologic disease in the new millennium.