Retroperitoneal Pyelolithotomy for Management of Renal Calculi

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the role of retroperitoneoscopic pyelolithotomy in the management of renal calculi. METHODS: Fifty-six cases (male, 27; female, 29) of solitary or multiple renal calculi were evaluated in the study. There were 46 patients with a single calculus, 4 patients with a staghorn calculus, and 6 with a caliceal calculus. Retroperitoneoscopic pyelolithotomy was carried out after creating a retroperitoneal space with the balloon dissection method. Pneumoretroperitoneum was maintained by carbon dioxide insufflation. RESULTS: Stone clearance was achieved in all cases barring 2 cases of caliceal calculi that were converted to the open procedure. The postoperative hospital stay averaged 4 days. Patients were ambulatory within 24 hours and back to work within 7 days on average. Complications encountered were peritoneal rent, subcutaneous emphysema, and superficial wound infection. The postoperative analgesic requirement averaged 100 mg of diclofenac (2 tablets). CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic pyelolithotomy is a safe, simple, and effective minimally invasive procedure and is a feasible option that can be recommended for management of renal calculi.