In an effort to decrease operative morbidity, energy based ablative procedures have triggered considerable interest in the treatment of select, small (<3 cm) renal tumors. Renal cryoablation for small renal tumors is a well-studied energy based ablative procedure that shows considerable promise as an alternative to partial nephrectomy. Cryoablation is minimally invasive and has demonstrated acceptable intermediate-term results. In this article we review key laboratory research and current clinical series of renal cryoablation.

Key words: Renal tumors, Laparoscopy, Cryosurgery, Cryoablation.