Laparoscopic renal surgery in children.

A total of 17 laparoscopic renal procedures was performed in children, including nephrectomy (10), nephroureterectomy (4), partial nephrectomy (2) and giant renal cyst excision (1). Patient age ranged from 4 months to 11 years (average age 34 months). The average operating time was 2 hours and 15 minutes, ranging from 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. The usual period of hospitalization was 23 hours, with the longest being 36 hours for 2 patients. No complications ensued. Despite the decreased working space in children, laparoscopic renal surgery offers compelling advantages, including short hospitalization, less perioperative and postoperative pain, improved cosmesis, earlier return to normal unrestricted activities and early return to work for the parents. Methods to accomplish renal laparoscopic surgery safely in children are detailed.