[Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in a pelvic kidney]

Abstract

Introduction: Pelvic renal ectopia bearing stones is a particularly rare case of complex calculi. Several percutaneous and laparoscopic procedures had been proposed in the last years to treat this challenge problem in a minimally invasive way.

Clinical case: We describe the procedure of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy under general anesthesia, using three port sites, in a male patient with symptomatic stones in a left pelvic kidney with normal function. Two stones were successfully removed, with the help of flexible nephroscopy through a port, and the pyelotomy was closed with intracorporeal suture.

Comment: Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy of a pelvic kidney is a minimally invasive technique that is not difficult to perform, making laparotomy unnecessary. Laparoscopic technique must be take into account when dealing with the infrequent complex stone patient candidate to an open stone surgery. A review of the Spanish bibliography shows this to be the second reported case of pelvic kidney calculi treated by laparoscopic pyelolithotomy.