Laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy.

To our knowledge we report the initial case of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy performed completely via the retroperitoneal approach. The retroperitoneal space was developed by inflating a balloon. Renal parenchymal hemostasis was obtained by a newly designed double loop apparatus and the argon beam coagulator. Convalescence was rapid and no complications have been noted during a followup of 7 months.