Anterior transperitoneal approach to the upper urinary tract with one-stage bilateral procedure

A total of 109 unilateral and 4 bilateral upper urinary tract conditions were treated surgically from 1975 to 1985 by the anterior transverse transperitoneal approach; 26 of these were malignant conditions and 87 were benign. The approach gives good access to the kidney, its pedicle and the upper ureter. There is no increased risk of peritonitis or paralytic ileus due to urinary leak. One-stage bilateral surgical procedures were performed in 4 cases. There was no added risk to the patients. It allows both kidneys to recover simultaneously and provides the opportunity of examining the other intra-abdominal organs.