Retroperitoneal Laparoscopy for Upper Ureteral Calculi:Report of 35 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopy for patients with upper ureteral calculi. Methods A total of 35 patients with upper ureteral calculi were treated with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. Results The operation was completed in all but one patient, who was converted to open surgery because the calculi moved into the renal pelvis. The operation time ranged from 70 to 135 minutes (mean, 110 minutes). Intraoperative blood loss was 20 to 55 ml (mean, 36 ml). No patient had over-2-day urine leakage. Retroperitoneal drainage tube was removed 2 to 3 days after the operation. The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 6 to 10 days (mean, 7.8 days). One month after the operation, when double-J catheter was removed, ultrasonography showed that 9 cases who had severe hydronephrosis before operation was relieved. In the 26 patients with mild or moderate hydronephrosis, the symptoms disappeared in 17, and were relieved in the other 9. Seven patients with severe hydronephrosis and 11 patients with mild or moderate hydronephrosis achieved a 2-to 6-month follow-up, none of them developed recurrent calculi during the period. The severity of hydronephrosis in these patients was same to that determined one month postoperation. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopy is feasible for patients with upper ureteral calculi. The method can be used as an alternative to open surgery of microinvasive operation.