and aim: The present study aims to compare our experience with open versus laparoscopic radical nephrectomies, in order to contribute to increasing the standard care of our patients. Materials and Methods: We enrolled a number of 81 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic radical nephrectomy between 2015 and 2016. Pre-operative, perioperative and post-operative parametres were recorded. Results: Open radical nephrectomy was performed in 14.8% of cases and 85.2% underwent laparoscopic

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... nephrectomy. The mean age was 59.27 years old (+11.60). Mean operative time was 120.29 minutes (+39.49) in the laparoscopic group and 184.16 minutes (+37.76) for the open group, p<0.001. The mean blood loss in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was 142.03 ml (+115.15) and 275 ml (+106.06) for open radical nephrectomy (p=0.806). The overall positive margin rate was similar between the two groups (p=0.44). We experienced no severe peri-operative complications in either group.The post-operative hospitalization was 2 days shorter for the laparoscopic group, p=0.27. Conclusions: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a feasible and safe technique for treating large renal masses, with similar oncological result to the open approach, but lower blood loss, shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay, all concurring to a better quality of life for the patients.