Laparoscopic nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy: intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, single site.

The indication for use of laparoscopy, in the pediatric population, was initially for diagnostic purposes. As confidence with the technology and utility grew, it began to be applied for therapeutic indications. With equivalent surgical outcomes and decreased morbidity, the usefulness of a laparoscopic approach became more apparent, and today minimally invasive surgery is an indispensable tool in the management of many pediatric urologic conditions. The management of renal pathologies using laparoscopy is now currently the approach of choice for most pediatric renal maladies.