LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF A STONE-FILLED, CALICEAL DIVERTICULUM - A DEFINITIVE, MINIMALLY INVASIVE THERAPEUTIC OPTION

We describe the laparoscopic treatment of a symptomatic, stone-filled caliceal diverticulum in a patient who would have otherwise required open surgical excision of the diverticulum. Laparoscopic management was chosen as an alternative to an open operation in this patient because the anterior location of the diverticulum precluded treatment with percutaneous nephrolithotomy, while the stone burden and stenotic orifice precluded management with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The patient had no morbidity, returned to the preoperative activity level by 2 weeks and remains asymptomatic. The options for managing caliceal diverticula are discussed.