OBJECTIVE: We have analyzed our institutional experience with simple enucleation for the treatment of small renal tumors for elective indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients underwent elective nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) from May 1997 to January 2001. All patients underwent NSS by means of enucleation. The tumor bed was coagulated carefully for haemostatic and partly for oncological reasons. Median follow-up was 71 months (range: 49-91 months). RESULTS: Pathological review according to the 2002 TNM classification showed that 70 % (21 of 30) of tumors were pT1a, 26.7 % (8 of 30) pT1b and 3.3 % (1 of 30) pT3a. Median tumor size was 3.7 cm. (range: 3.0 - 5.5 cm). There was no perioperative mortality (within the first 30 days). Bleeding had not been recorded during perioperative period. Urinary leakage was observed in 1 patient (3.3%). No case of local recurrence was observed. Five and 7-year cumulative survival was 96.6% and 93.3%, respectively. Five and 7-year cancer specific survival was 100% and 96.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Simple tumor enucleation is a safe and acceptable approach for elective NSS. It provides excellent long-term progression-free and cancer specific survival rates, and is not associated with an increased risk of local recurrence compared to partial nephrectomy.