[Lumbar endoscopy: analysis and evaluation of 10 primary operations]

The authors report their experience of the first 10 patients operated by upper urinary tract lumboscopic surgery. Lumboscopy is performed in the lateral supine position and a simple technique for creation of retropneumoritoneum is described. In 4 patients, the planned nephrectomy could be performed because of poor anatomical conditions (peripyelitis and/or perinephritis). Lumboscopy allowed complete renal exploration, two nephrectomies, two resections of the roofs of compressive parapelvic cysts and one lumbar ureterolithotomy. The ease and rapidity of lumboscopic dissection makes it a valuable alternative to laparoscopy.