Extraperitoneal laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a left pelvic kidney

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Urolithiasis, or kidney stones, in pelvic kidneys poses unique surgical challenges due to anatomical location.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a standard treatment for kidney stones, but its application in pelvic kidneys requires specialized approaches.

Observation:

• A novel extraperitoneal laparoscopy-assisted technique was developed to facilitate access to the lower-pole calix of a pelvic kidney.
• This approach combines laparoscopic visualization with percutaneous access for stone removal.

Findings:

• The described technique successfully enabled percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a patient with a pelvic kidney stone.
• This method provides a viable option for managing complex urolithiasis in challenging anatomical locations.

Implications:

• This approach may offer a less invasive alternative for treating kidney stones in pelvic kidneys.
• Further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this technique in a larger patient cohort.