UC Irvine urologists have successfully performed in the laboratory the first minimally invasive kidney surgery technique using a specially designed surgical device that allows for the use of multiple instruments without leaving a visible scar. Drs. Ralph Clayman (pictured), professor and chair of urology and fellow Geoffrey Box led the effort in developing this unique method of going through two natural orifices to perform a nephrectomy – a procedure in which the kidney is removed. They presented their results in a paper – which was awarded first prize from over 100 submissions – at the annual Engineering and Urology Society section of the American Urology Association meeting in Anaheim in May. UC Irvine urologists are leaders in developing new minimally invasive surgical techniques, and Clayman and Box believe this breakthrough could eventually lead to possibly less invasive kidney procedures with faster recovery times.