Kidney Stones Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Kidney Stones, including details on causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis of nephrolithiasis, calculi.

Role of laparoscopic stone surgery.

Desai RA, Assimos DG

Department of Urology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. rdesai@wfubmc.edu

OBJECTIVES: To define the role of laparoscopic stone surgery in current urologic practice. METHODS: All cases of laparoscopic surgery for renal calculus disease performed at a single institution during a 2-year period were reviewed. A total of 449 stone-removing procedures were performed by one of us (D.G.A.) during this interval, of which 5 were laparoscopic (1.1%). Of the five laparoscopic procedures, three were pyelolithotomy/pyeloplasty, one was laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, and one was caliceal diverticular stone removal. RESULTS: All 5 patients were rendered stone free, and no patient had perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic approach is rarely needed in patients requiring stone removal. However, it can be a safe and effective approach in the management of select patients with complex stone disease.

Published 4 April 2008 in Urology, 71(4): 578-80.
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