Early experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is promising. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy offered the advantages of less operative time, decreased operative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. When applied to patients with a single renal tumor 7 cm or less, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was associated with additional postoperative morbidity compared to open partial nephrectomy. However, equivalent functional and early oncological outcomes were achieved.

As tumor size increased there was a significant increase in the odds of having a malignant compared to a benign tumor, clear cell compared to papillary RCC and high grade compared to low grade malignancy.