[Urologic laparoscopy].

Recent applications of laparoscopy to urologic surgery have demonstrated the efficacy, safety, and shorter convalescence times with these techniques. Laparoscopy still is the most accurate diagnostic tool for impalpable testes and allows surgeons to select the proper treatment. Because of the need for general anesthesia, laparoscopic varicocelectomy is not considered less invasive than subinguinal low ligation under local anesthesia. However, a future trend toward day surgery might favor laparoscopy, which requires a smaller skin incision and thus enables young men to return to work earlier. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been established as a standard operative technique because it offers many advantages in comparison with conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is also a minimally invasive operation, although the most appropriate method for kidney retrieval has not been determined, and currently in Japan insurance reimbursements are limited to benign disease. Laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma is very promising, although there is debate on laparoscopic cancer surgery. Furthermore, the recent great success with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in France is stimulating Japanese investigators. In the 21st century, laparoscopy will be standard for many surgical procedures in urology.