Purpose of reviewThe widespread use of available imaging techniques has resulted in an increased detection of incidental small renal tumors. For these small tumors, there has been a definite trend towards nephron-sparing surgery over the past decade.Recent findingsWith increasing experience, advanced ablative and complex reconstructive procedures are now being performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has lagged behind while laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is widely practiced and has become an established procedure. This lag is largely due to the technical difficulty in achieving renal hypothermia and securing renal parenchymal hemostasis.SummaryAdvanced laparoscopic suturing skills and the availability of laparoscopic vascular instruments have allowed laparoscopic partial nephrectomy to become a viable option for select patients, wherein laparoscopic partial nephrectomy attempts to duplicate traditional, established open surgical techniques.