Retroperitoneoscopic pyelolithotomy as initial treatment for upper urinary tract large stone.

We report a case in which retroperitoneoscopic pyelolithotomy was the procedure selected to treat a large stone in the upper urinary tract. A 71-year-old woman who had multiple cerebral infarction and dementia was admitted with a persistent high fever unresponsive to antibiotics. The diagnosis was pyelonephritis and urosepsis associated with ureteral calculus. A large calculus(3.0 x 2.0 cm)was found in the left ureter at the L3 level. She underwent nephrostomy of the left side. After the patient's general condition had improved, surgery was performed successfully with an uneventful recovery. The findings in this case confirm that retroperitoneoscopic surgery allows removal of a large stone in a single, minimally invasive procedures.