Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has been widely accepted as the preferred management of low stage renal masses. Endoscopic management is advantageous for its reduction in perioperative and postoperative complications. In the mid-1990s, morbid obesity was considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic technique. The authors present two cases of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy due to renal tumors in extremely obese patients. The aim of this study is not only to present the operative technique but also to show that the laparoscopic procedure is safe and effective in morbidly obese patients.
Keywords: kidney tumor; laparoscopy; nephrectomy; obesity.