The American Cancer Society estimates that 54,390 new cases of renal (kidney) cancer were diagnosed in 2008 and these cancers caused 13,010 deaths. Since the majority of newly discovered solid renal masses are cancerous, surgical removal has become standard therapy for these lesions, even when cancer is suspected and not proven. This surgery can be a complete or partial removal of the kidney (nephrectomy) via an open or minimally invasive approach. Tumor size, location, and patient characteristics influence the type of surgery performed. Advances in kidney surgery have led to development of minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic partial kidney removal. Laparoscopic surgery is performed using instruments that are inserted through small incisions. Limitations of conventional laparoscopy include the lack of depth perception with a 2-dimensional view of the surgical field and restricted freedom of movement of the instruments.