The supracostal approach to the kidney and adrenal.

Our experience with 67 supracostal approaches to the kidney or adrenal gland demonstrates that 1) the exposure was uniformly superb,2) diaphragm reapproximation was unnecessary, 3) a single pericostal suture soundly closed the intercostal space, 4) no complications could be attributed to inadequate exposure and 5) pleural entry was the most common complication. We have found the supracostal approach to the kidney and adrenal to be staisfactory and recommend it to others.