Supracostal approach--an excellent exposure for renal and adrenal surgery.

The supracostal extraperitoneal and extrapleural approach provides wide exposure during renal and adrenal operations without damaging the neurovascular bundles and spares the partial resection of rib. We performed renal and adrenal operations on 33 patients by this approach. The procedures were accomplished smoothly obtaining a broad surgical field without costal resection. Complications were rare and postoperative pain seemed to be mild. Hence, the supracostal approach is considered as a better method with excellent exposure to the kidney and adrenal and is anatomically comprehensive.