Introduction. Partial nephrectomy represent the standard of care for small renal tumor. Laproscopic approach tends to replace open surgery due to similar oncologic results, but with better eastethic outcomes and earlier socio-professional reintegration. Material and methods. Between January 2010 and February 2017, 55 patients (p) underwent partial nephrectomy at our center for clinically localized renal tumor, 21p with LPN by retroperitoneal approach and 34p with OPN. All patients had a normal contralateral kidney. The selection of patients for nephron-sparing surgery was based on preoperative CT scan, location of the tumor, the individual general health status of the patient and individual surgeon preferences. Results. The mean age of patients with partial nephrectomy was 59.6±16.4 years, with 57.9±11.6 years for laparoscopic subgroup and 61.3±12.4 for open surgery. The transfusion rate was 9.52% in LPN group, while in the OPN there was no need for transfusion. The warm ischemia time was higher in the LPN group (21.8±7.2 min) than OPN group (15.7±2.9). The postoperative complication rate is comparable between LPN and OPN (23.81% v.s. 20.58%), but the LPN had higher intraoperative complications. Conclusion. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors is superior to open surgery by early mobilization of the patient, the low rate of wound complications, short duration of hospitalization, fast socio-professional reintegration of patient, despite the perioperative complication rate that is higher but of low ClavienDindo grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]