Treatment of urolithiasis in the morbidly obese

Background: Morbidly obese patients with urolithiasis present a therapeutic and diagnostic challenge to the Urologist. Management is reported and potential difficulties discussed. Methods: Morbidly obese patients (body mass index greater than or equal to40kg/m(2)) with stone disease were identified by retrospective review. Stone load was calculated and treatment modalities noted. Results: 18 renal units (kidneys) were treated in 17 patients. Of these, 2 required no treatment, 2 had open procedures, and 15 were treated with flexible ureteroscopy. Mean stone burden in patients treated with flexible ureteroscopy was 18 mm, but 8 patients had stone loads >15 mm and in these patients mean stone burden was 23 mm. All were successfully treated or rendered asymptomatic. There were no major complications. Conclusion: Obesity is increasingly prevalent and associated with a high incidence of co-morbidity and complications. Imaging can be difficult and treatment options are limited. Flexible ureteroscopy has proven to be the most successful treatment option, and can avoid the need for more invasive procedures. Furthermore, stone loads greater than normally acceptable can be successfully undertaken in these patients, and should be attempted due to problems associated with other techniques.