Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for nephrocolonic fistula due to tuberculous nonfunctioning kidney

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Nephrocolonic fistula is a rare complication of renal tuberculosis.
• Tuberculosis of the kidney can lead to severe renal damage and systemic illness.
• Surgical intervention is often necessary for managing complex cases of tuberculous nephropathy.

Observation:

• A 20-year-old female presented with high-grade fever and pyonephrosis.
• Initial management involved percutaneous drainage of the kidney.
• Retrograde pyelography identified a nephrocolonic fistula.

Findings:

• Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy with intracorporeal colon defect repair was successfully performed.
• The procedure took 245 minutes with 170 mL blood loss.
• Histopathology confirmed renal tuberculosis; the patient recovered well with antituberculous therapy.

Implications:

• Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy is a viable and safe treatment for tuberculous nephrocolonic fistula.
• Minimally invasive surgery can be effectively applied to complex urological-gastrointestinal fistulas.
• Successful management leads to significant patient recovery and improved quality of life.