Objective To introduce the clinical experience and effects of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in treatment of patients with T1b renal cell carcinoma. Methods Fifteen patients (10 males and 5 females) with T1b renal cell carcinoma who were treated from Nov. 2007 to Jun. 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients had a mean age of (56.2±9.8) years old and a mean tumor size of (5.5±1.4) cm in diameter, with 8 cases on the left side and 7 cases on the right side. All of the 15 patients received retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Results All the 15 cases were operated successfully without conversion to open surgery, and there were no severe perioperative complications. The mean operation time was (100±23.6) min, mean warm ischemia time (WIT) was (21.3±8.6) min, and the mean blood loss was (35.3±11.6) ml. Postoperative urinary leakage was found in one case and serum creatinine transient increase was found in one case. The mean postoperative hospital stay was (5.7±1.8) d. All patients had normal renal function and had no tumor recurrence or metastasis during a mean follow-up of (21.2±10.1) months. Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is safe and effective for treatment of patients with T1b renal cell carcinoma, with less trauma and faster recovery; however, the long-term effects still need large sample studies and long-term follow-up.