title: Comparative evaluation of laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the benefits of laparoscopic nephrectomy in children as compared to open surgery and to ascertain whether or not the retroperitoneal technique offers any surgical advantage over the transperitoneal approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study gathered retrospective data on a consecutive series of 51 paediatric patients comparing; operative time, length of hospital stay and analgesic requirement. Results show that when laparoscopic surgery is compared with the open technique it took 25 mins longer to perform, there was a shorter post operative stay by 2.5 days, and a 50% reduction in morphine use. Patients who had the retroperitoneal technique were discharged from hospital within one day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to previous studies, the findings in this study suggest that there are distinct benefits in laparoscopy for children. There is some evidence in favour of the retroperitoneal technique. Patients are in hospital for shorter periods and need less analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LF. prabhu_sekaran@hotmail.com
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sekaran
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: MacKinlay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D021782:Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney / Q000601:surgery; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000601:surgery