A 3-TROCAR TECHNIQUE FOR LIMITED LAPAROSCOPIC RENAL SURGERY

Laparoscopic renal surgery usually involves the use of five or six tro cars, This report concerns the authors' technique for performing such surgery through only three trocars. Semilateral patient positioning, a long with additional table rotation, is utilized to facilitate viscera l rotation and optimize exposure of the kidney. Four laparoscopic rena l procedures were performed: one renal cyst decortication and three up per pole partial nephrectomies with ureterectomies for duplications of the collecting system. Mean operative time was 148 min with no conver sions; there were no intra- or postoperative complications. All patien ts tolerated a liquid diet on postoperative day 1, and the median hosp ital stay was 2 days. In selected cases laparoscopic renal surgery may be approached safety through three trocars.