Robot-Assisted Pyelolithotomy in Pelvic Kidney.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Pelvic kidney is a congenital anomaly where the kidney fails to ascend to its normal position.
• Atypical kidney location presents significant surgical challenges for treating renal calculi.
• Traditional surgical methods may be complicated by the unique anatomy of pelvic kidneys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted pyelolithotomy (RPPK) for managing pelvic kidney stones.
• To summarize surgical outcomes and patient data from RPPK procedures in patients with pelvic kidneys.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients who underwent RPPK between 2014 and 2023.
• Analysis of demographic data, stone characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes.
• Focus on patients with pelvic kidney anomalies requiring stone removal.

Main Results:

• Four patients with pelvic kidney stones underwent RPPK, with a mean stone diameter of 27.7 mm and high density (1207.5 HU).
• Mean operative time was 265 minutes; mean hospital stay was 2.2 days, with negligible blood loss.
• No immediate complications were recorded, and the robotic approach proved effective despite challenging anatomy and stone characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Robotic-assisted pyelolithotomy (RPPK) is a safe and effective surgical option for pelvic kidney stones.
• The robotic approach successfully manages challenging stone sizes and densities in the context of pelvic kidney anomalies.
• RPPK provides a viable alternative to traditional methods, overcoming anatomical difficulties associated with pelvic kidneys.