Retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy for staghorn stones

Purpose: To establish the feasibility of the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for treatment of patients with staghorn renal calculi who are under consideration for an open pyelolithotomy. Patients and Methods: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was performed in three patients with impacted staghorn renal calculi between 22 and 45 mm in largest diameter. One of the patients also had multiple caliceal stones. These patients wanted an open procedure but had agreed to have their stone removal done laparoscopically in view of our experience. The previously described retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used, and the handling of some of the specific problems in such patients is described in the text. Results and Conclusion: The stones were removed successfully in all the three patients, and there were no complications. Although no definitive conclusion can be drawn from this small series, the paper shows the feasibility of the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach in a select group of patients with staghorn renal calculi.