ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the approach and safety of minimally invasive surgical procedures treating symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi. Methods Clinical data of 21 cases with symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve females and 9 males aged 22 to 57 years old. The average diameter of caliceal diverticulum was 3.7 cm (2.5-7.0 cm) and average diameter of calculi was 2.3 cm (0.8-3.5 cm). The patients underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy, PCNL or mPCNL, laparoscopic techniques and laparoscopy-assisted transperitoneal PCNL, respectively. Four cases underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. PCNL (2 cases) or mPCNL(5 cases)were performed in 7 cases. Nine cases underwent laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopyassisted transperitoneal PCNL was performed in 1 case. Results The operations were performed successfully in 21 cases. No case need to transfer to open surgery during the operation and no major complications like perforation or organic injury were noted. One case with iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the kidney after 1 week postoperative was cured by delayed hemorrhage 2 days later, while clinical symptoms of 2 cases with residue calculi relieved. 19 cases without residue calculi were followed up for 6 to 12 month without recurrence. Conclusions After handling indication of treatment efficiently and creating advisable therapeutic decision-making, minimally invasive surgical procedures treating symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi appears to be effective and safe.