Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is an uncommon but known complication of renal transplantation and its management is challenging because of the special physiopathology of transplanted kidneys.
OBJECTIVE：To summarize our experience of endoscopic techniques on the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi in transplanted kidney and to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.
METHODS: The clinical data of 21 patients with upper urinary tract calculi in transplanted kidneys treated by ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) or minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) was retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 8 patients with ureteral stones in transplanted kidney were treated by URL and the procedure was successful only in 3 cases, 2 cases had high fever after stone and 1 of them required a nephrostomy tube to control infection. The other 5 were failed and converted to mPNCL. Total of 18 patients were treated by mPCNL. Among them, 13 patients were treated with mPCNL directly, 5 patients were treated with URL at first and failed and then converted to mPNCL. All patients were rendered stone-free at one mPCNL procedure, with no complications during or after surgery. In treating the calculi in transplanted kidney, the value of URL is limited but mPCNL is safe and effective and it can be regard as the initial therapy.