Role of laparoscopic stone surgery.

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.

Duke Scholars

Author Dean George Assimos Urology