Management of stones in patients with anomalously sited kidneys

Congenital abnormities in urology are very common. Horseshoe, malrotated and ectopic kidneys, as well as duplex systems, are the most frequent in this respect. The combination of both abnormalities and stones is of clinical importance. The question is asked if standard procedures for stones apply also to stones in abnormal kidneys.

In general, open surgery, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, percutaneous procedures, endoscopic procedures and laparoscopy are possible procedures in both normal and abnormal kidneys. The importance of ureteric pelvic junction obstruction has to be taken into account and a metabolic work-up remains important.

The trend for treatment of stones in abnormal kidneys goes towards endoscopical and laparoscopical procedures, whereas a combination of both seems to be appropriate in many cases.