[Laparoscopic treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis]

The authors report a case of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) in a 38-year-old man presenting with obstructive acute renal failure. The initial management consisted of urinary diversion by bilateral double-J ureteric stenting. After restoration of normal renal function, CT urography demonstrated retroperitoneal fibrosis surrounding the two ureters. Surgical treatment was performed by laparoscopy using four trocars. The operation consisted of detachment of the ascending and descending colon followed by release of the ureters from the lumbar segment to the pelvic segment and finally intraperitonealization of the ureters. The operating time was six hours, the postoperative course was uneventful and the double-J stents were removed at the third week. Laparoscopic treatment of RPF is a treatment option providing all of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. In the light of this case and a review of the literature, the authors describe the laparoscopic treatment of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.