Is laparoscopic nephrectomy the preferred approach in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis?

To report our experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) and compare it with the open approach. XGP is an atypical and severe form of chronic renal infection. Open nephrectomy has been the procedure of choice for XGP. The laparoscopic approach has been used in cases of XGP but with increased complications and operative time.

A retrospective analysis of all the patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy with a pathologic diagnosis of XGP from January 2001 to August 2005 was done. The demographic profile and data on the operative time, operative technique, blood loss, and complications were obtained.

In all, 25 patients underwent nephrectomy with a pathologic diagnosis of XGP, 10 laparoscopically and 15 by the open approach. Laparoscopic nephrectomy for XGP was successful in 80% of the cases. The dissection of the kidney was comparatively difficult in all cases because of dense adhesions in the perirenal region and required modification of the technique. The incidence of major complications was 20% and 10% in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively. The mean hospital stay in the laparoscopic group was 3.8 days, significantly less than that for the open nephrectomy group (8.2 days). The mean operative time in the laparoscopic group was 3.8 hours compared with 2.5 hours in the open group.

Laparoscopy can be successfully performed in patients with a pathologic diagnosis of XGP. Although a longer operative time is required because of perinephric adhesions, the postoperative recovery is faster and cosmesis superior compared with the open approach. Modifications in the standard laparoscopic technique can be made to complete the procedure successfully and safely.