BALLOON DISSECTION IN EXTENDED RETROPERITONEOSCOPY

The anatomy of the retroperitoneum, including the high retroperitoneum , was studied as it appears with balloon dissecting techniques. We use d fresh cadavers in this study. A relatively unknown fascia that is lo cated between the lateral aspect of the perirenal fascia and the poste rior parietal peritoneum, called the paraconal fascia, was a constant finding. This structure is important because it protects delicate retr operitoneal organs: the duodenum, pancreas, celiac axis, and superior mesenteric artery. Locating this fascia is an important step in the di ssection of the high retroperitoneum, which is of interest in advanced videoendoscopic procedures involving retroperitoneal organs.