Urolithiasis and obesity: metabolic and technical considerations

The increasing prevalence of obesity poses a challenge to urologists in the diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis. This review summarizes the new evidence linking obesity and urolithiasis, and the technical considerations and modifications necessary in the diagnosis and treatment of stone disease in obese patients.

Recent studies have confirmed the epidemiological link between obesity and urolithiasis, and have provided some possible explanations for its underlying cause. New clinical series have demonstrated that flexible ureterorenoscopy and adapted percutaneous nephrolithotomy techniques can result in similar stone clearance rates and morbidity to the non-obese patient. New data, however, suggest that obesity may be an independent predictor of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment failure for ureteric stones. Evidence of the efficacy of dietary modification and medical treatment of metabolic abnormalities has been reported in obese stone formers.

Urolithiasis can be safely and effectively managed in obese patients with minor modifications to the established surgical techniques. Increased understanding of the underlying metabolic abnormalities in obese patients with urolithiasis may improve prevention strategies in the future.