Despite the rising popularity of the minimally invasive laparoscopic option, open nephron-sparing surgery is still seen by many experts as the 'gold standard' for open surgery for kidney tumors and should remain the first choice for many patients. This challenges the idea that less-invasive therapies are always more desirable than open surgery. While laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery may be a more attractive option for treating small, easily accessible kidney tumors, for large tumors this is not always the case.

Nephron-sparing surgery is a outstanding text that analyses all forms of surgery, open or laparoscopic, as well as providing a backdrop on renal cell carcinoma in general, and the complications and outcomes following surgery that both surgeon and patient will face. Featuring 100 colour photos, the text includes chapters on:

Imaging renal masses: current status

Open nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma

Minimally invasive approaches for renal cell carcinoma: an overview

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Controversies in nephron-sparing surgery

Renal cell carcinoma: long-term outcome following nephron-sparing surgery

Dr Sasidharan and Professor Soloway have created a superb text covering all aspects of nephron-sparing surgery that should provide excellent guidance for all those who are just beginning to perform nephron-sparing surgery or act as an aide-memoire for those familiar with nephron-sparing surgery.