The role of posterior lumbotomy in the management of surgical stone disease.

A total of 50 consecutive patients underwent posterior lumbotomy for removal of upper third ureteral or renal pelvic stones between June 1983 and October 1986. Morbidity was low, hospitalization was brief and 100 per cent of the patients were rendered free of stones postoperatively. Dorsal lumbotomy compares favorably with other currently available methods for the management of selected patients with calculous disease.