[Percutaneous nephropexy in the treatment of renal ptosis]

Surgical fixation of ptotic kidneys has been utilized since the late nineties of the last century and more than 170 techniques have been described in the literature, all of which are by open surgery. The efficacy of a new percutaneous nephropexy procedure is described herein.

The technique basically consists in the fixation of the organ in its normal position by fibrous ligation created by a nephrostomy (preferably loop nephrostomy) and a nephropyeloureteral catheter inserted percutaneously. Our technique of percutaneous nephropexy was performed in 15 female patients with marked right renal ptosis, a long history of pain, which was complicated by lithiasis in the same kidney in 5 cases, and in whom medical treatment had repeatedly failed.

At 6-14 months' follow-up, all of the patients are asymptomatic with negative urological cultures, no calculi, kidney in normal position and ureter corrected.

The results demonstrate that our percutaneous nephropexy technique is an effective alternative treatment for the old and unresolved problem of renal ptosis.