[Posterior vertical lumbotomy. Its value in surgery of the kidney]

Principal technical features are described briefly based on a personal series of use of the procedure in 35 cases. The patient is placed in decubitus; a parietal approach is performed while avoiding the genitofemoral nerve; the incision can be enlarged downwards and above all upwards (subperiosteal segmental resection of 12th rib). The lateral posterior vertical lumbotomy possesses the advantage over classical lateral lumbotomy of being less disturbing to muscle, being less painful postoperatively, and never leading to eventration. It also reduces hospital stay. It presents the disadvantage, however, of providing only a narrow view of the operation zone, which limits its use to simple procedures such as exeresis of pyelic and upper lumbar ureteral calculi. It is dangerous, on the contrary, and should not be used in surgery of coralliform stones.