Renal cell carcinoma has historically been managed by radical nephrectomy, but as knowledge of the disease has advanced, nephron sparing surgery has become the norm in appropriately selected tumors. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has been shown to have comparable oncologic outcomes and a shorter convalescence period compared to the traditional open partial nephrectomy. Dissemination of techniques has led to significantly increased use of minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery, and LPN remains a cost-effective and efficacious method for approaching small renal masses.