Laparoscopic nephropexy

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic nephropexy for symptomatic nephrotosis.

Between May 2000 and December 2005, 6 women (mean age, 43.1 years) underwent laparoscopic nephropexy of 8 kidneys (6 right, 2 left). Mean body mass index was 19.6 kg/m(2). Two patients displayed ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Preoperative evaluation was performed by intravenous urography (IVU) and isotope renography in both the supine and erect positions. Four patients (6 renal units) underwent retroperitoneoscopic nephropexy, with a dismembered pyeloplasty in 1 patient (1 renal unit). The transperitoneal approach was performed in 2 patients, the first case and another with UPJO due to an aberrant vessel. The kidney was mobilized, then fixed to the back muscles with nonabsorbable sutures.

Mean operative time was 139.4 minutes (range, 95-200), and mean blood loss was 30 mL (range, 10-60). No perioperative complications were encountered. Mean hospital stay was 6.4 days. Postoperative IVU and isotope renography correctly confirmed a fixed kidney and no obstruction in the UPJO cases. All patients reported a symptomatic improvement during follow-up (range, 11-81 months).

As pain is the presenting symptom in these cases, a laparoscopic approach seems to represent the gold standard for treatment owing to low morbidity and good cosmetic results.