Percutaneous Transperitoneal Approach to the Pelvic Kidney for Endourologic Removal of Calculus: Three Cases with Two Successes

Abstract

To date, the percutaneous approach to the removal of calculi in true pelvic kidneys has been applied to three patients at our institution as an alternative to open surgery. Access to the pelvic kidney is effected by means of retrograde percutaneous nephrostomy in conjunction with the laparoscopic manipulation and displacement of interposing bowel loops. Two patients were rendered free of stones with less than 1 week of hospitalization. The other patient had a staghorn stone that proved too large for removal without multiple nephrostomy tracts, and open pyelolithotomy was performed.