The retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of thoracoabdominal type IV and infrarenal aortic aneurysms is an accepted alternative to thoraco-phrenolaparotomy. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report our experience and results in terms of respiratory and renal complications. From January 1997 to December 2003, 48 patients (36 with thoracoabdominal type IV and 12 with infrarenal aortic aneurysms) were treated by a retroperitoneal extrapleural approach in intercostal space X or XI. We performed 40 aorto-aortic and 8 aorto-basilar reconstructions. The perioperative mortality was 2%. Postoperative respiratory insufficiency was 8%, and postoperative renal insufficiency 12%. Permanent dialysis was necessary in 4% of cases. The survival rates were 98%, 89.4% and 58.7 at 1, 5 and 7 years, respectively. Retroperitoneal extrapleural access with a partial phrenotomy results in a significantly reduced incidence of postoperative respiratory complications.