Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in Prune Belly Syndrome: a case report

The use of therapeutic laparoscopy is increasingly common in managing undescended testes in patients with Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS). We report, for the first time, a case of a child with PBS who underwent right laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.

A 7-year-old male with PBS, who had previously undergone multiple surgeries, was referred to our center. The patient presented to us with a grade 4 chronic kidney disease, a non-functioning right kidney, and a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. A laparoscopic right nephroureterectomy was performed.

Surgical details and technical aspects of the procedure are described, with particular reference to the unique challenges posed by the absence of abdominal wall musculature in this patient population.

This case demonstrates that laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is both feasible and safe in patients with PBS. With appropriate technical adjustments, the lack of abdominal musculature does not preclude the use of laparoscopy in these individuals.