Giant hydronephrosis management in the Era of minimally invasive surgery: A case series

Giant hydronephrosis (GH) is a rare urological entity, described as more than 1 L of fluid contained in the renal collecting system. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause. GH if not discovered and managed early can result in long term complications. We present our experience in the late presentation of adult Giant hydornephrosis.

We reviewed all the cases of patients with giant hydronephrosis who presented to our institute from December 2017-December 2019 at our institute. Pre-operative renal ultrasound, computed tomography with contrast and MAG-3 were performed on all patients to establish their diagnoses. The patients' demographic data, clinical presentation, preparatory investigations, indications for intervention, type of intervention, pre- and post-operative complications and durations of hospital stay were reported. Laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy was completed in three cases without open conversion. One case proceeded to open conversion owing to a lack of space and severe adhesions. The mean operating time was 79.7 min (range: 65-95 min), estimated blood loss was 75 mL and the mean hospital stay was 4 days (range: 2-6 days).

The first case of GH was described in 1746. Since then, few cases have been described in the literature. A radiological definition, is the occupation of the hemi-abdomen by the kidney with a midline cross which is the height of five vertebral bodies. GH may be congenital or acquired. The most common presentation of GH is abdominal distention followed by fever and flank pain.

When nephrectomy is indicated in giant hydronephrosis, the laparoscopic trans-peritoneal approach is feasible. Pre-operative decompression using a nephrostomy tube and suspension stitch use facilitate the surgery.