Complex cystine kidney stones treated with combined robot-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and intraoperative renoscopy. Issue 2 (May 2018) - Meggiato, Luca
Introduction: Cystinuria, a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by a defect in cystine renal reabsorption, can often determine complex cystine renal calculi, leading to important complications such as urinary obstruction, urinary infections, and impaired kidney function. Complex kidney stones can have a difficult management and can be very arduous to treat. Case description: We present the case of a 20-year-old Jeowah's witness woman with complex cystine renal stones treated with combined robot-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and intraoperative renoscopy. Conclusions: The combination of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and intraoperative renoscopy can be useful to achieve an immediate high stone clearance rate also in complex renal stones. This combined technique could be indicated to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Moreover, it can also be used in pediatric cases or when there is no ureteral compliance. However, this strategy can be performed only in hospital referral centers by expert surgeons.