Laparoscopic calyceal diverticulectomy: video review of techniques and outcomes

Calyceal diverticula are cystic dilations within renal parenchyma prone to urinary stasis, stone formation, and recurrent infection. Using ICD-9 code 55.39 and CPT code 50549, we identified five women and two men (mean age 42 years) who underwent laparoscopic calyceal diverticulectomy at our center from August 2007 to July 2010. Patient videos that highlight basic and advanced laparoscopic techniques (retroperitoneal approach and partial nephrectomy) were selected from an Institutional Review Board-approved video library. Because few published case series exist in the literature, we include equipment used and outcomes for all patients. Posterior diverticula (4/7) were ablated by balloon-assisted retroperitoneal approach. One patient required concomitant partial nephrectomy for a solid renal mass, and laparoscopic ultrasound probe was required for diverticular identification in two patients. No complications were noted with reasonable mean blood loss (40 mL), operating times (160 minutes), and hospital stay (2 days). All diverticula were resolved at 3-month follow-up computed tomography imaging.