SUMMARY:This work aims to investigate the anatomical basis and clinical application value of renal pedicle locating in retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. To summarize the anatomical basis of renal pedicle locating through retrospective analysis of 278 cases of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy from July 2007 to September 2009, during which renal pedicle was located at about 2-4 cm below the medial arcuate ligament of the diaphragm in the space between the psoas major muscle and inferior vena cava (abdominal aorta) in the anatomical level of space before psoas. The operation of 278 patients was all successfully completed, where renal pedicle was quickly found. It took 3.5±1.3 min to locate the renal pedicle, and 95.6±23.8 min to operate. In retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy, it is most preferable to locate renal pedicle in the space before psoas. The renal pedicle is located exactly at about 2-4 cm below the medial arcuate ligament of the diaphragm in the space between the psoas major muscle and inferior vena cava (abdominal aorta). The time for locating the renal pedicle can be shortened if the surgeon is familiar with the anatomic features of renal pedicle in retroperitoneoscopy, thereby saving the operation time.