A novel approach to locate renal artery during retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE To verify the feasibility and safety of retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy and assess the value of our proposed approach to search for renal artery. METHODS A total of 60 cases of retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy were performed using our homemade single-port multi-channel device. An incision of 5-6 cm was cut forward from the posterior axillary line under the lower margin of the 12th rib, and a single-port multi-channel device comprised of two control rings and a No. 7 glove was placed into the incision. Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy was then performed via locating renal artery through muscle and ligament on the posterior abdominal. RESULTS The 60 cases were all successful. None of the 60 patients developed surgical complications. CONCLUSION The application of homemade device is safe and feasible. Our proposed method is of greater practical significance for the relatively narrow operating space in retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site surgery.