Flexible ureterorenoscopy in position or fusion anomaly: Is it feasible?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with holmium laser in the treatment of kidney stones with ectopic and fusion anomalies (horseshoe kidney and rotation anomalies).

METHOD: We reviewed data from 13 patients with fusion and ectopic renal anomalies that underwent F-URS from April 2011 to April 2017. We analyzed demographic and clinical data (age, gender, BMI, anatomical abnormality, location and dimension of the renal calculi) and perioperative data (method of treatment, stone-free rate, number of days with DJ catheter and perioperative complications).

RESULTS: The mean stone size was 12.23 +/- 5.43 mm (range 6-22mm), located in the inferior (58.33%) and middle (16.76%) calyceal units, renal pelvis (16.67%) and multiple locations (8.33%). All 13 patients were treated with Ho-Yag laser, using dusting technique (25%), fragmentation and extraction of the calculi (58.33%) and mixed technique (16.67%). We did not have any severe perioperative complication. After 90 days, nine patients (75%) were considered stone free.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that F-URS is a safe and feasible choice for the treatment of kidney stones in patients with renal ectopic and fusion anomalies.