Case Report: An occurrence of steinstrasse in retrograde intra renal surgery (RIRS) for large staghorn kidney stone: a difficult experience in managing surgical outcomes

Immediate removal of staghorn kidney stones is important to prevent life-threatening complications. With the advancement of endoscopic technology, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is now an alternate treatment to the standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for stones removal. However, when used to treat large stones (>3cm), RIRS can cause the formation steinstrasse (SS). Here, we present the case of a 68-year-old man with multiple stones in the collecting system of the right kidney after initial treatment with RIRS. After two years of multiple interventions, the SS was completely removed. To prevent this complication in patients, a detailed assessment of the stone (size, location) and renal anatomy should be completed before RIRS is performed.