AIM The objective of this research is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of patients (age, gender and work status) and to compare classical and laparoscopic operations and what potential nursing diagnoses and problems are present in the health care of such patients. METHODS: 129 subjects who were admitted to the KBC Split Surgery Clinic with a medical diagnosis of kidney cancer and were surgically treated for a period of one year from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 participated in the study. In this cross-sectional study, data collected through the hospital information system (BIS) and the protocol of the Clinic for Urology were used, and they met the inclusion criteria according to the medical diagnosis for a kidney tumor that was surgically treated for a period of one year. Patients are also categorized according to the type of surgery. RESULTS: The results of our research showed that the male gender was in a higher percentage compared to the female gender (60.74%) and that the most common chronological age was 65.21 for the 129 respondents who were included in the research. The most common patients were between the ages of 51 and 60 (48.07%). The drain was removed on the 7th postoperative day. Regarding the removal of the urinary catheter, in our study the urinary catheter was removed two weeks after the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Comparison of complications between classic open nephrectomy and laparoscopic nephrectomy provides important insight into the advantages and challenges of both surgical approaches. Classic nephrectomy, although proven effective, carries a higher risk of complications such as pain, prolonged recovery time, increased blood loss and a higher incidence of postoperative infections. Continuous monitoring of patients after surgery, timely recognition and management of complications and adjustment of therapy in accordance with the individual needs of each patient are key elements in achieving the best possible outcome.