Case report: laparoscopic heminephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney using bipolar energy

Aberrant vasculature, functional parenchyma in the isthmus, and abnormal location are all unique features of horseshoe kidney that present technical challenges to laparoscopic management of disease. A 52-year-old man presented with a large renal calculus in a poorly functioning left moiety of a horseshoe kidney and underwent laparoscopic heminephrectomy. The ismthus, which had 2.5 to 3.0 cm of functioning parenchyma, was divided using the PlasmaKinetic Superpulse Generator (Gyrus). No additional hemostatic measure was required. The total operative time was 140 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 160 mL. At follow-up, the right moiety and remaining isthmus exhibited normal function with no extravasation.