As a result of the widespread application of cross sectional imaging, there has been a significant rise in the incidence of small renal cortical neoplasms. The current standard of care in the management of these lesions is nephron-sparing extirpative surgery. In the last decade, however, image-guided or ablative therapies have garnered significant attention as nephron-sparing alternatives to partial nephrectomy. Although initially laparoscopic ablation was predominately intended for use as active treatment in those patients in whom more invasive therapy was contraindicated, as experience with laparoscopic ablation has become more robust, the indications for the procedure continue to evolve. The current article reviews the indications and contraindications, preoperative preparation, surgical technique, and postoperative follow-up for laparoscopic ablative procedures. Also discussed are techniques and patient selection criteria to avoid complications, as well as the management of complications that do occur.
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