ABSTRACT
The first planned partial nephrectomy was by Kummell in 1889 for stone disease. Partial nephrectomy was initially performed predominantly for infectious problems and urolithiasis. Many patients in the early 1900s continued to have complete nephrectomy because of concerns about extensive bleeding following partial nephrectomy and the frequent occurrence of urinary fistula. Eisendrath reviewed the treatment of duplex kidneys in 1923 and found only 13 reports of heminephrectomy. With improvements in radiographic diagnosis and surgical techniques, this operation became more routine, even in younger children.
