title: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in benign pathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report our experience with 43 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign kidney disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients had a poor function from obstructive uropathology and renal atrophy. None of these patients had a previous lumbotomy. Retroperitoneoscopy was performed with 4 trocar port technique in a lateral position. The retroperitoneal space is created by using a Gaur's balloon made of sterile glove. The approach to vascular pedicle was done posteriorly and vessels were clipped by metal and Hem-o-lock (Weck Closure Systems, North Carolina, USA) clips. The sample was intact extracted in an Endo-Bag prolonging one trocar incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median operative time was 160 minutes and median blood loss was 200 mL. Four cases (9%) were converted to open surgery: one case due to bleeding and 3 cases due to technical difficulties regarding perirenal adherences. Most patients (39) checked out from the Hospital in day two. Four of them were left over 3 days due to wound complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retroperitoneoscopy offers a safe, effective and reproductive access to nephrectomy for benign pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, Hospital da Previdencia dos Servidores do Estado, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. quintelarod@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rodrigo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Quintela
authors.forename: Leonardo R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Cotta
authors.forename: Marcelo F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Abelha
authors.forename: Jose E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tavora
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome