Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy: is the retroperitoneal route a better approach?

Objectives: To compare the outcome of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LP) using the transperitoneal and the retroperitoneal routes.

Methods: Demographics, intraoperative and postoperative clinical parameters were evaluated in 48 laparoscopic pyelolithotomies performed in patients with renal pelvic calculi of diameter >30 mm. The differences between the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal routes were analyzed.