Saving nephrons: Current surgical options in partial nephrectomy

Partial nephrectomy has become the 'gold standard" for treatment of suspicious renal masses when surgery is required. The advantages in terms of renal preservation without compromising cancer control are well accepted provided lesions are carefully selected. The challenge now is to improve upon patient selection for partial nephrectomy, optimising the surgical technique and also considering how to reduce ischaemic time to the kidney that will remain. This article explores such issues and summarises the current status of partial nephrectomy.