<b>Background: </b>The urologic laparoscopy program started in Calderón Guardia Hospital (Costa Rica) in 2008 at the urology department, performing kidney laparoscopic surgeries. After overcoming a steep learning curve, surgical outcomes of minimaly invasive laparoscopic surgery were comparable to those established previously by open conventional surgery. <b>Methods: </b>All the patients who had a laparoscopic kidney procedure from 2008 to 2011 were included. The surgical records of the laparoscopic nephrectomy protocol were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, surgical information, surgical technique and approach as well as complications were analized. The histological diagnosis was reviewed in the follow up. <b>Results: </b>Since 2008, 200 laparoscopic kindey procedures had been performed, including 150 nephrectomies (radical and simple), 15 pyeloplasties, and 35 symptomatic benign cyst resections. On average, the neoplasic kidney specimens weighed 479.33 grams and measured 5.94 cms in diameter. More over. Of the 58 benign nephrectomies 45 corresponded to hydronephrosis, 3 pyonephrosis, 8 pyelonephritis and 2 polycystic kidney disease. Only 3% out of the 200 procedures were converted into open surgery, which is comparable to the best urologic centers. <b>Conclusion: </b>The benefits from implementing the kidney laparoscopy program in our institution are clearly established. Variables such as less postoperative pain, postoperative stay, patients reassuming their normal lives and returning to their jobs much faster compared to open surgery. Moreover, oncologic results are the same as in open surgery.

Nephrectomy; laparoscopy; kidney; surgery; urology.

<span name="style_bold">Antecedentes: </span>en este documento se describe la experiencia de establecer el programa de nefrectomía laparoscópica en el servicio de urología del Hospital “Dr. Rafael A. Calderón Guardia” de Costa Rica, que atiende una población aproximada de 1 236 997 pacientes y cuenta con 14 camas para varones y 4 camas para mujeres, destinadas a urología. <span name="style_bold">Métodos: </span>se incluyeron todos los pacientes a quienes se les realizó un procedimiento laparoscópico en riñón, desde setiembre del 2008 a enero del 2012. Se revisaron los reportes operatorios de un protocolo de nefrectomía laparoscópica. Se analizan aspectos demográficos, detalles de la cirugía, abordaje, técnica quirúrgica y complicaciones. Posteriormente, en Consulta Externa se estudia el diagnóstico histopatológico. <span name="style_bold">Resultados: </span>desde septiembre de 2008 hasta enero de 2012 se realizaron 200 procedimientos laparoscópicos de riñón, los cuales corresponden a 150 nefrectomías (simples y radicales), 15 pieloplastías y 35 quistes simples sintomáticos. El promedio de peso de los riñones tumorales fue de 479,33 gramos y midieron 5,94 cm de diámetro. De las 58 nefrectomías laparoscópicas realizadas por patología benigna, 45 fueron por hidronefrosis, 3 por pionefrosis, 8 por pielonefritis y 2 por poliquistosis. De los 200 procedimientos realizados hasta el momento, se ha tenido que convertir solo el 3%, lo cual es comparable con los centros de excelencia mundial en laparoscopía urológica. <span name="style_bold">Conclusión: </span>los beneficios posteriores al advenimiento del programa de urología laparoscópica en el Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”, son claramente palpables una vez superada la curva de aprendizaje: disminución del dolor postoperatorio, de la estancia postoperatoria, del tiempo de incapacidad, y resultados oncológicos comparables con la cirugía abierta.los beneficios posteriores al advenimiento del programa de urología laparoscópica en el Hospital “Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia”, son claramente palpables una vez superada la curva de aprendizaje: disminución del dolor postoperatorio, de la estancia postoperatoria, del tiempo de incapacidad, y resultados oncológicos comparables con la cirugía abierta.

nefrectomía; laparoscopía; riñón; cirugía; urología.

<span name="style_bold">Background: </span>The urologic laparoscopy program started in Calderón Guardia Hospital (Costa Rica) in 2008 at the urology department, performing kidney laparoscopic surgeries. After overcoming a steep learning curve, surgical outcomes of minimaly invasive laparoscopic surgery were comparable to those established previously by open conventional surgery. <span name="style_bold">Methods: </span>All the patients who had a laparoscopic kidney procedure from 2008 to 2011 were included. The surgical records of the laparoscopic nephrectomy protocol were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, surgical information, surgical technique and approach as well as complications were analized. The histological diagnosis was reviewed in the follow up. <span name="style_bold">Results: </span>Since 2008, 200 laparoscopic kindey procedures had been performed, including 150 nephrectomies (radical and simple), 15 pyeloplasties, and 35 symptomatic benign cyst resections. On average, the neoplasic kidney specimens weighed 479.33 grams and measured 5.94 cms in diameter. More over. Of the 58 benign nephrectomies 45 corresponded to hydronephrosis, 3 pyonephrosis, 8 pyelonephritis and 2 polycystic kidney disease. Only 3% out of the 200 procedures were converted into open surgery, which is comparable to the best urologic centers. <span name="style_bold">Conclusion: </span>The benefits from implementing the kidney laparoscopy program in our institution are clearly established. Variables such as less postoperative pain, postoperative stay, patients reassuming their normal lives and returning to their jobs much faster compared to open surgery. Moreover, oncologic results are the same as in open surgery.The benefits from implementing the kidney laparoscopy program in our institution are clearly established. Variables such as less postoperative pain, postoperative stay, patients reassuming their normal lives and returning to their jobs much faster compared to open surgery. Moreover, oncologic results are the same as in open surgery.

Nephrectomy; laparoscopy; kidney; surgery; urology.