Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopy in treatment of retrocaval ureter with right renal and ureteral calculi: a case report

Retrocaval ureter is a rare disease associated with abnormal embryonic development. Here, we describe a patient who exhibited retrocaval ureter complicated by renal and ureteral calculi, which were treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intermittent back pain that had been present for more than 10 years. During hospitalization, he was diagnosed with retrocaval ureter, right renal calculi, and right ureteral calculi with right hydronephrosis; he underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. After the operation, his condition was stable and he exhibited good recovery. Our findings in this case suggest that percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy is a suitable option for the treatment of retrocaval ureter with renal and ureteral calculi.