Flexible ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy in the management of renal calculi in ectopic pelvic kidney / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) with holmium laser lithotripsy in the management of stones in ectopic pelvic kidney (PK).Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients,ranged from 37-52 years old,who were underwent FURS with holmium laser for PK stones from January 2007 to April 2012.Three cases had solitary stones in renal pelvis,3 cases had solitary stones at lower calyx and multiple stones were found in 5 cases.Mean size of stone was 2.3 cm (ranged 1.8-3.7 cm).One case had history of ESWL and PCNL before surgery with unsatisfied result and 7 cases were underwent ESWL with poor outcome.The double J stent was placed into the ureter two weeks before the operation.Under the general anesthesia,the ureteral access sheath was placed firstly during operation.Then,flexible ureteroscopy was inserted into the renal pelvis through ureteral access sheath.Holmium laser was used to perform the procedure with the power less than 20 W (0.6-1.0 J/10-20 Hz).The stone fragments were taken out by stone baskets and double-J stent was set at the end of the procedure for additional two weeks.Results The successive rate of the ureteroscopic insertion was 100％.The average operation time was 62 min (ranged 31-87 min).No severe complications such as heavy bleeding,perforation or ureteral avulsion occurred.Small stone fragments were found in 3 cases.All of them located in the lower calyx.Since no one complained about the upper urinary obstruction or related symptoms,conservative observation was considered.All patients discharged the day after the operation.Within three months follow-up,no sign of urinary obstruction was found.Conclusions FURS with holmium laser is a safe,effective and minimally invasive technique.It could be the best option in the management of renal calculi in ectopic pelvic kidney.