Two-glove-finger-balloon dissection of retroperitoneal space for laparoscopic urology.

BACKGROUND We present our experience in retroperitoneal interventions with 2 catheter mounted glove fingers through 2 access points. METHODS Patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position, and the retroperitoneum was accessed by blunt dissection through a 10-mm transverse skin incision on the posterior axillary line. Another incision was performed through the anterior axillary line, and the surgeon inserted his finger to dissect the muscle layers in the retroperitoneum to develop an initial space to place the glove finger balloon, which was attached to a 14-F Nelaton catheter. RESULTS This technique was performed on 32 patients. The mean operation time was 57.4 +/- 26.7 minutes. A satisfactory retroperitoneal space for the operation was provided and both balloons inflated to 500 mL. No complications were observed. CONCLUSION Retroperitoneal laparoscopy using 2 balloons is a safe, cheap, effective minimally invasive procedure, and we believe that the technique described above both decreases both the operation time and cost.