Percutaneous Approach to a Complicated Case of Nephrolithiasis in a Pregnant Woman: A Case Study

Background: Lithiasis during pregnancy can be a serious problem representing a danger to both the mother and the fetus. Surgical intervention is needed in approximately one-third of patients reporting pain despite analgesia and/or signs of persistent infection and obstruction, but there is a lack of consensus in the scientific literature as to the use of the most appropriate procedure to treat this condition. Case Presentation: We describe our experience in the treatment of a complicated reno-ureteral lithiasis in a 27-year-old patient in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patient had a calcified ureteral stent with associated stone formation in the right kidney and a bladder stone at the distal extremity of the stent. She was treated by a combined approach by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and transurethral cystolithotripsy. The procedure we performed was effective. Conclusion: Our experience reinforces the feasibility and safety of the kidney stone removal by the percutaneous approach also in a pregnant patient and supports the recommendations of the European guidelines: “in experienced centers, where necessary, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy should be considered.” The technical precautions taken have proven to be valid and are supported by the current literature. Therefore, we feel they can be recommended.