Abstract:Abstract: Objective?To explore the key technical points and clinical value of retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrolithotomy in the treatment of renal staghorn calculi.?Methods?From August 2013 to October 2017, 23 patients with unilateral staghorn calculi (occupying the whole pelvis and at least one caliceal group), who were unsuitable for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrolithotomy. The mean stone size was 2.8 cm (2.3?~?3.8?cm). After the blocking of renal artery, ice-cold saline was infused to reduce the kidney temperature via the suction. An incision on the Brodel line was made and the stone was removed, then the renal collecting system and parenchyma were closed by using bidirectional suture line (QuillTM SRS suture) for single-layer or two-layer stitching according to the different thickness of the renal parenchyma.?Results?All the cases were successfully operated. There were no major intraoperative and postoperative complications. Median operative time was 95?min (75?~?135?min). Median warm ischemia time was 25 min (17?~?35 min). Median estimated blood loss was 105?ml (25?~?350?ml), no blood transfusion was needed during or after surgery. Gross hematuria occurred in 5 patients and disappeared three days later. Urine leakage occurred in 3 patients and disappeared three to five days later. No bleeding and residual stone occurred. Mean follow-up was 10 months (2 ~ 18), radiographic assessment by intravenous urography after surgery showed all renal units were completely functional, with significant relief of obstruction in all patients.?Conclusion?Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective procedure which could act as a promising alternative in treating staghorn renal calculi unsuitable for PCNL. Further investigation with a larger population group and longer follow up period are needed before this is suggested as the preferred method in selected patients in the future.