Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in benign pathology
Rodrigo S Quintela1, Leonardo R Cotta, Marcelo F Neves
1Section of Urology, Hospital da Previdencia dos Servidores do Estado, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. quintelarod@yahoo.com
Introduction:
We report our experience with 43 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign kidney disease.
Materials And 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.


