[Indications for subcapsular nephrectomy in children]

Subcapsular nephrectomy has advantages over classical nephrectomy in such cases with the kidney adhered to adjacent structures. Actually, to the usual indications, as chronic renal infection and previous renal surgery, we add up the nephrectomy of transplanted kidney, that forms our main indications. In our review of medical literature we haven't found any references about subcapsular nephrectomy in pediatric age. We report 31 cases of subcapsular nephrectomy from a total number of 121 nephrectomies performed in children during the last 20 years. We analyse the indications, surgical management, postoperative course and latter complications of subcapsular nephrectomy.