EXTRAPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPY - EARLY EXPERIENCE AND EVALUATION

This paper evaluates the use of various balloon dilators in the flank, iliac fossa and retro-pubic regions to create extraperitoneal spaces for subsequent extraperitoneal laparoscopy. Eight patients were invest igated, three undergoing pelvic surgery, four renal surgery (two nephr ectomies) and one laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. Extraperitoneal ballo on dilatation was simple, safe and easy and provided large tamponaded bloodless cavities and excellent vision. Port access was slightly rest ricted by the lateral peritoneal reflections and bony prominences of t he thorax and pelvis. This approach for laparoscopy is safe, simple an d deserving of further evaluation.