Refinements in nephrectomy procedures have dramatically improved the safety of these procedures. Data from a prospective study of 140 patients with kidney cancer confirm that laparoscopic nephrectomy can be safely conducted as an outpatient surgery in selected patients. Exclusion criteria for outpatient surgery included planned partial nephrectomy, a lack of adequate support at home, advanced age or the presence of substantial comorbidities. Of the 46 patients who received an early discharge following laparoscopic nephrectomy, none required readmission to hospital.