Surgical Techniques in the Management of Small Renal Masses

This article provides a review and outline of the various surgical techniques for small renal masses. It covers surgical approaches and compares outcomes of open versus minimally invasive surgery. The article discusses renal nephrometry scoring and renal ischemia at time of resection. Techniques for controlling the renal hilum and controlling blood flow to the kidney are described. Extirpative techniques for small renal masses are reviewed along with a comparison of outcomes. With careful adherence to key oncologic and surgical principles, negative margins, no complications, and no or minimal decline in renal functional outcomes can be achieved.