A novel technique using a thulium fiber laser for simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy and transpelvic endopyelotomy for high-insertion ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Background: Endopyelotomy is a minimally invasive option for treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Although largely supplanted by laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty, it retains efficacy and utility in the absence of a crossing vessel in patients not fit for laparoscopy, patients with secondary obstructions or strictures, or those with stones requiring simultaneous treatment. Antegrade endopyelotomy is most commonly performed with scissors, cold knife, or more recently, using a Holmium laser. Herein we present the first reported case of simultaneous antegrade endopyelotomy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using a thulium fiber laser (TFL). Case Presentation: A 72-year-old male with surgical history of open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair at age 43 years, colon resection, bilateral popliteal artery aneurysms, 5-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting, recent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and celiac/superior mesenteric artery/bilateral renal stents on Coumadin was referred for gross hematuria and CT urography demonstrating a high-insertion UPJ obstruction without a crossing vessel and 4 caliceal stones, the largest being 2 cm. Given his multiple comorbidities and prior abdominal and retroperitoneal surgeries, he was offered simultaneous PCNL and endopyelotomy to treat both urological conditions with a single procedure. The procedure was accomplished bloodlessly with TFL PCNL and endopyelotomy as an ambulatory procedure with minimal morbidity, immediate resumption of anticoagulation, and rapid convalescence using a special method to convert the high insertion to a dependent insertion. Conclusion: The TFL provides a new effective and efficient tool for the simultaneous endoscopic management of stones and obstructions with minimal bleeding and rapid recovery in select situations.