Laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy for management of complete staghorn renal stone: clinical efficacy and intermediate-term functional outcome.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical efficacy and intermediate-term functional outcome after laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy (LAN) as an alternative treatment modality for complete staghorn renal stone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The demographic and perioperative parameters as well as the intermediate outcome of 10 adults (9 men) who underwent transperitoneal LAN for complete staghorn renal stone were analyzed. Functional imaging studies consisted of intravenous urography (IVU) and technetium-99 dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (99Tc-DMSA) renal scan done before the operation and at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 48.7 years (range 37-64 years). Mean stone size was 67.3 mm (50-90 mm). Mean operative time was 192 minutes (110-240 min), and mean warm ischemia time was 32.8 minutes (15-40 min). A few hours after laparoscopy, one patient underwent splenectomy because of significant hemorrhage from a splenic laceration (grade IIIb complication). During the follow-up period early after the operation, we detected an 8-mm lower caliceal stone and a 25-mm midcaliceal stone in one patient each (stone-free rate: 80%). After a mean follow-up of 11.9 months (6-19 mos), 85.5% of corresponding renal unit function was preserved; however, there was a significant mean decrease in 99Tc-DMSA uptake from 48.4%±8.83 before surgery to 41.4%±13.98 afterward (-7%±6.53; P=0.008). Nevertheless, renal units were completely functional at follow-up IVU with a significant improvement in obstruction in all patients. CONCLUSION: LAN is an alternative minimally invasive approach for one-session management of patients with complete staghorn renal stone. It offers an acceptable rate of stone clearance and operative complications but does incur a minimal loss of function in the affected kidney.

Use of autologous renal capsule grafts for venous repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the renal capsule for reconstruction of the inferior vena cava in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 10 dogs; an oval window (2-8 cm long, mean 6.5 cm) was made in the inferior vena cava and then repaired using the autologous renal capsule patch. The patency and functionality of the graft were assessed macroscopically and microscopically 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All the dogs were killed at 3 months, showing excellent patency of the vena cava macroscopically and in the venography. In the microscopic examination, all the patches were completely endothelialized. No evidence of infection or thrombosis was noted. CONCLUSION: A renal capsule patch can be used for reconstruction of the inferior vena cava. Patency appears to be good, and the risk of infection is low. Moreover, this is an accessible material.