The use of endoscopy-assisted nephrolithotomy for unilateral nephrolith removal in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A 3-year-old spayed female rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was referred with mineralizations in the left kidney. Despite medical management, 8 months after the initial examination, a 5.3-mm obstructive nephrolith with dilatation of the renal diverticuli was observed with abdominal ultrasonography. Surgical removal by endoscopy-assisted nephrolithotomy was completed. A flexible endoscope was introduced into the renal pelvis through a puncture incision in the lateral aspect of the kidney. The nephrolith was removed with endoscopic grasping forceps through the same orifice and the renal pelvis and diverticula were flushed to extract the smaller mineralized particles. The nephrotomy site was closed and the kidney was sutured to the abdominal wall. The rabbit recovered uneventfully. Six months after surgery, a non-obstructive stone was identified; however, 2 years later the rabbit remains asymptomatic. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the use of endoscopy-assisted nephrolithotomy to extract a complicated nephrolith in a rabbit.