Case Report: Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty with Pyelolithotomy in Crossed Fused Ectopia

Crossed renal ectopia with an unusual form of fusion (inverted U shape) managed by novel approach – laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy. A case report

Herein we present a case of crossed renal ectopia with an unusual type of fusion, discovered incidentally in a 11-year-old girl presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. Both kidneys were located on the right side of the body fused in their upper poles only, forming an inverted U shape. After reviewing the published data on this topic, we found that most of the described anomalies were within the six well-known types of fusion anomalies. This child had an unusual clinical presentation of severe hydronephrosis of the orthotopic kidney. A unique surgical technique to correct the pathology to be able to preserve the residual mass of that kidney was performed.

Crossed unfused renal ectopia with pelviureteric junction obstruction associated with nephrolithiasis: a rare troublesome triad managed by robotic surgery

We report a rare case of non-fused renal ectopia with pelviureteric junction obstruction and multiple pelvic and renal calculi thereby discussing vascular anatomy of the non-fused ectopic kidney along with robot assisted surgical management of this rare clinical entity which amounts for good preoperative workup for best surgical and clinical outcome.

Crossed fused renal ectopia in children: a review of clinical profile, surgical challenges, and outcome

INTRODUCTION

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital malformation, wherein both kidneys are present unilaterally, with the ureter of the crossed kidney opening into the bladder on the contralateral side. It has varied presentation from incidental detection to renal impairment. In this largest series of crossed fused renal ectopia, the authors assessed the clinical profile of these children and also attempted to shed light on the challenges in the surgical management.

METHODS

It is a retrospective study conducted from January 2009 to July 2018, among patients evaluated for crossed fused ectopia, in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Electronic medical records of 36 children were reviewed. Imaging modalities and operative interventions were recorded. Results were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 36 children were found to have crossed fused ectopia, with male preponderance. Most children presented within one year of age with urinary tract infection being the commonest cause. The most common associated anomaly was anorectal malformation. Ultrasound abdomen and pelvis, micturating cystourethrogram, and radionucleotide scans were the imaging modalities preferred for diagnosis and follow-up. Left-to-right ectopia was more common with inferior ectopic variant being the most common. The predominant urological problems include pelviureteric junction obstruction, vesicoureteric junction obstruction, and vescioureteric reflux. Ureteric re-implant was the most common surgery performed followed by pyeloplasty. Pelvi-pelvostomy, uretero-ureterostomy, bladder augment with Mitrofanoff, and other procedures were performed for select cases.

CONCLUSION

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a challenging entity which requires individualized management plans based on the predominant urological anomaly and the functional status. Surgical options are diverse and are guided toward the symptomatic urological problem with focus on preserving the renal function. The long-term prognosis is good in these children.

Double trouble: pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction and renal cell carcinoma in right to left crossed fused ectopia

Crossed renal ectopia is a rare occurrence. The majority of the crossed units are fused to their ipsilateral mate. Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in crossed fused moieties has been reported very rarely. Similarly, malignancy arising in the crossed over moieties is a rare occurrence too. Only a few cases have been reported earlier. We are here reporting an unusual case with coexistent PUJO and renal cell carcinoma in the crossed over moiety of right to left crossed fused ectopia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case with both these pathologies, coexisting, in the crossed over moiety. The patient underwent open radical nephrectomy of the right moiety via a lower midline incision. Surgery in this scenario is very challenging due to complex anatomy with aberrant vasculature, which needs for dissection within the renal parenchyma, similar to nephron-sparing surgery to separate from the normal moiety.

Renal stone in crossed fused renal ectopia and its laparoscopic management: Case report and review of literature

Management of renal stone in crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE) is difficult because of abnormal location, malrotation, and its relations with vertebral column and small bowel. Management is not standardized because of the paucity of literature and variable anatomy. We managed an 8-year-old boy with multiple renal stones in right side crossed kidney by laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and nephro pyeloscopy with the help of ureteroscope. Until now, there is only one prior report of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in CFRE. We share our experience in this case and review the literature regarding the management of kidney stones in this rare anomaly.

Laparoscopic treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in five pediatric cases of pelvic kidneys

OBJECTIVE

Ectopic kidney is a rare urologic condition and may be revealed by ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children, with pelvic kidney being the most common location. Our experience using a minimally invasive approach to treat UPJO by dismembered pyeloplasty led us to report five cases of UPJO with pelvic kidney operated on by transperitoneal laparoscopy, focusing on medium-term follow-up results and surgical technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1999 to 2010, we reviewed all cases of UPJO managed in our center, a total of 391 patients. Among those, 125 patients were operated on via a minimal invasive approach, 104 by retroperitoneoscopy, and 21 by transperitoneal laparoscopy. Five patients presented ectopic pelvic kidney and were retrospectively reviewed. US-scan and uro-MRI were done preoperatively in all cases for anatomic and functional evaluation. Peri-operative data such as operative time, transfusion, and complications were reported. At last clinic, sonographic and functional evaluation was noted. Focusing on surgical technique, we reported the tips and tricks to successfully and easily perform the dismembered pyeloplasty: optimization of the trocars' location according to the kidney location and use of a transparietal stay stitch to stabilize the suture line of the pyeloplasty.

RESULTS

All five patients underwent dismembered pyeloplasty, at a mean age of 8 years and a mean weight of 23.4 kg. Mean operative time was 213 min (min-max: 180-245). One case of giant hydronephrosis and megacalicosis required conversion at the beginning of the learning curve. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Mean hospital stay was 2.4 days (range: 1-4). All the patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery and good postoperative functional results, with either stable or improved pelvic dilatation and renal function at a mean follow-up of 3.3 years (range: 2-5.6).

DISCUSSION

This small series of five ectopic kidneys reflects the surgical challenge for the pediatric surgeon to perform reconstructive surgery on an abnormal anatomy. However, increasing experience in robotics in urologic pediatric surgery may lead to shortening of operative time and facilitate both dissection and suturing.

CONCLUSION

Dismembered pyeloplasty by transperitoneal laparoscopy is a feasible although technically demanding, safe and effective approach in the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in pelvic kidney in children.

Ureteropelvic obstruction and renal stones: etiology and treatment

The simultaneous surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with concomitant renal stones has evolved the last 20 years; hence, the ideal minimally invasive technique is still controversial. Laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic operations allow precise surgical maneuvers and were thought to simplify the reconstruction steps of the procedure, especially in the treatment of complex cases with large stones. The aim of this study was to summarize the available perioperative and functional outcomes of minimally invasive available techniques. A non-systematic review of the literature was performed using a free-text protocol in the MEDLINE database. The terms used were "ureteropelvic junction obstruction," "renal calculi" and "renal stones." Furthermore, other significant relevant studies cited in the reference lists of the selected papers were also evaluated in the structure of this review. Currently, available evidence suggests that both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques offer excellent surgical solutions in the field of UPJO reconstruction and renal stones removal. In the hands of experienced surgeons, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty with concomitant stone removal is a safe procedure with high stone-free rates and UPJ patency. Minimally invasive pyeloplasty should constitute the first choice of treatment for concomitant renal stones and ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in crossed fused ectopic pelvic kidney

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare anomaly and may be associated with pelvic ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO). The L-shaped fusion variety is even rarer. We report such a case with a crossed fused ectopic pelvic kidney (L-type) with PUJO and its successful laparoscopic management. Through this report we emphasize the importance of adequate preoperative imaging and intraoperative details to avoid mishaps.

Laparoscopic management in stone disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While most renal and ureteral stones can be efficiently managed using endourologic techniques, the use of laparoscopy for the management of urolithiasis is increasing. The application of laparoscopy for stone removal will further reduce the need for open stone surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy, pyelolithotomy, and anatrophic nephrolithotomy are highly successful techniques with regard to their one-session, high stone-free rates. These procedures could be considered as the preferred approaches when endourologic procedures are not available or have failed. Laparoscopic stone surgery (LSS) in patients with urinary tract anomalies offers a reliable minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to a complex endourologic technique.

SUMMARY

Although laparoscopy still has a limited role in the urologist's armamentarium for the surgical management of urolithiasis, it can further reduce the need for open stone surgery in complex circumstances. LSS duplicates its open counterpart and offers a high one-session, stone-free rate in most patients with a lower morbidity and quicker convalescence. More comparative studies are needed to define the role and indications of LSS in relation to endourologic and open techniques, especially in complex circumstances.

Management of stones in abnormal situations

Stones in abnormal situations present a management conundrum to the urologist. Many of these situations are relatively rare and literature is scanty on the appropriate management. We review the current literature on the management of stones in the setting of pregnancy, calyceal diverticulum, urinary diversions, pelvic kidneys, transplant kidneys, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, horseshoe kidneys, and other renal anomalies. The aims of treatment are complete stone-free status. The modality of treatment should be individualized to the size and location of stone and type of abnormal situation confronted.

Retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney

A 21-year-old woman with a 4 cm enhancing cystic renal mass in the left moiety of a horseshoe kidney was treated through a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The tumor was excised completely with cold scissors, and renal parenchyma suturing with a surgical bolster was done with Vicryl 2-0 sutures. Choosing the proper approach according to the location of the lesion and the surgeon's experience with both approaches are of importance in laparoscopic surgery in horseshoe kidney cases. A preoperative kidney computed tomography angiography was helpful for understanding the complex renal vasculature.

Role of laparoscopy in reconstructive surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite increasing laparoscopic expertise in reconstructive surgery, open procedures still represent the gold standard. Robot-assisted techniques increasingly replace laparoscopy. However, laparoscopy is also developing: by improvement of ergonomics, new instruments, and techniques further reducing access trauma. We evaluated the actual role of laparoscopy focusing on main indications of urologic reconstructive surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

We analysed the current literature (PubMed/Medline) concerning indications, perioperative results, complications, and long-term outcome of laparoscopy for pyeloplasty, ureteral reimplantation, stone surgery, management of vesico-vaginal fistula, sacrocolpopexy (including evidence level). For all indications, laparoscopy provides the advantages of less postoperative pain, blood loss, shorter convalescence, and minimal disfigurement. However, it requires expertise with endoscopic suturing. Most experience (N > 1000) exists with laparoscopic pyeloplasty and sacrocolpopexy which can be considered as valuable options (IIB). Concerning ureteral reimplantation and repair of vesico-vaginal fistula, only a limited number of cases were reported (N < 150) (III). Laparoscopic stone surgery may gain importance particularly in developing countries. Robot-assistance will definitively increase the application of laparoscopic techniques providing optimal ergonomics, whereas the role of single-port surgery will be limited.

SUMMARY

Laparoscopy will increasingly be used for reconstructive urologic surgery. This trend will be supported by the widespread use of the DaVinci device.

[Importance of open and laparoscopic stone surgery]

INTRODUCTION

The increasing spread and technical enhancement of endourological methods has led to displacement of the surgical therapy of renal and ureteral calculi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on a review of current literature, we describe indications, technique, and clinical importance of the open and laparoscopic management of urolithiasis.

RESULTS

In Europe and North America, the surgical therapy of urolithiasis only plays a role in cases of very large or hard stones, after failure of shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, or ureteroscopic stone removal, and in cases of abnormal renal anatomy, i.e., only in a few percent of all stone therapies. However, in developing countries and emerging markets with different structure and funding of the health care system where the methods of endourology are not readily available, these techniques still have a higher importance. Particularly in Europe, laparoscopic surgery is emerging because calculi can be removed from almost all locations in the kidney and ureter using a transperitoneal or retroperitoneal access. Functional outcomes and complication rates are comparable. The benefits of laparoscopy are less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster convalescence, and better cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONS

Although procedures for open and laparoscopic removal of renal and ureteral calculi are only performed in rare cases in daily urological practice, they are superior to the endourological techniques in some circumstances. Therefore, they should still be part of the urologist's skills.

Case report: laparoscopic ureteral reconstruction with pelvic flap in ureteropelvic junction obstruction of ectopic left kidney

A 33-year-old woman with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in an ectopic left kidney underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Because of dense adhesions and a short ureter, we reduced the pelvis and created a tubularized pelvic flap using the Endo-GIA device to form a neoureter. No major complications were observed. A 6-month postoperative three-dimensional CT scan showed good renal function without hydronephrosis.

Treatment of Stones Associated with Complex or Anomalous Renal Anatomy

This article reviews the most common renal anomalies and the management of patients with calculus disease in anomalous kidneys. The emphasis is on minimally invasive techniques to achieve a stone-free status with minimal morbidity.