BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN) is a rare form of chronic renal inflammation, caused by long-term obstruction of the urinary tract. Pyonephrosis is a severe suppurative complication of acute obstructive pyelonephritis. Although minimally invasive approaches have many advantages, the safe dissection of the kidney may not be always achievable.
METHODS: We reviewed 27 cases diagnosed with either XGPN or pyonephrosis, who underwent laparoscopic total nephrectomy between October 2016 and March 2022 in our department. All interventions were performed using the Karl Storz 3D laparoscopic system. The surgical approach was standard transperitoneal nephrectomy for the majority of XGPN, while pyonephrosis cases were carried out in a retroperitoneally. All procedures were performed or supervised by the same surgeon.
RESULTS: The mean operative time was 269.85 minutes (range 145-360). The mean hemoglobin drop after surgery was 1.41 g/dl (range 0.3-2.3 g/dl). Difficult dissection was encountered in 13 cases (48.14%). Nine out of 13 interventions were carried out in a complete intracorporeal fashion, while conversion to open surgery was needed in 4 cases. Vascular complications involving the major blood vessels comprised of one case of inferior vena cava (IVC) tear. Digestive tract-related complications comprised two fistulas of the descending colon and one peritoneal breach. Multiorgan resection was performed in 6 cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Total nephrectomy in cases of XGPN and pyonephrosis is a challenging procedure. The laparoscopic approach is feasible, as most complications are resolved intracorporeally. However, it may remain reserved for large-volume centers with experienced surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of our case series on laparoscopic nephrectomy in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP).
METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted that included 143 patients treated with laparoscopic nephrectomy for non-functioning kidney, of whom 15 had XGP, within the time frame of 2011 to 2019. The demographic and clinical data were collected, along with the intraoperative results, complications, and days of hospital stay.
RESULTS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy was successfully performed on 15 patients with XGP, with no need for conversion. Mean intraoperative time was 124.4 minutes (range 70-240) and intraoperative blood loss was 148.5 ml (range 30-550), with no blood transfusion required. No intraoperative complications occurred but there was one postoperative complication (6.6%), classified as Clavien-Dindo I (surgical wound infection). Mean hospital stay was 2.85 days (range 2-7).
CONCLUSIONS: Nephrectomy is the definitive management for XGP, and the laparoscopic approach should be considered a treatment modality, despite the fact that the pathology involves a severe chronic inflammatory process. Its benefits are reduced surgery duration, less blood loss, a lower complication rate, and fewer days of hospital stay, when performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon.
OBJECTIVE: Presentar los resultados de nuestra serie de nefrectomía laparoscópica en pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa (PXG).
UNASSIGNED: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo que incluyó 143 pacientes tratados con nefrectomía laparoscópica por exclusión renal, de los cuales 15 fueron por PXG, en el periodo comprendido de 2011 a 2019. Se recolectaron datos demográficos y clínicos, resultados transoperatorios, complicaciones y días de estancia hospitalaria.
RESULTS: Se realizó nefrectomía laparoscópica transperitoneal de forma exitosa en 15 pacientes con PXG, sin necesidad de conversión. El tiempo transoperatorio promedio fue de 124.4 minutos (rango: 70-240). El sangrado transoperatorio fue de 148.5 ml (rango: 30-550), sin requerimiento de transfusión sanguínea. No se reportaron complicaciones transoperatorias; se presentó una complicación en el posoperatorio (6.6%) clasificada como Clavien-Dindo I (infección de la herida quirúrgica). La estancia hospitalaria promedio fue de 2.85 días (rango: 2-7).
CONCLUSIONS: El manejo definitivo de la PXG es la nefrectomía, y el abordaje laparoscópico debe ser considerado como una modalidad de tratamiento a pesar de ser una patología que presenta un proceso inflamatorio grave y crónico, obteniéndose beneficios como disminución en el tiempo quirúrgico, menor sangrado, menor tasa de complicaciones y menos días de estancia hospitalaria cuando es realizado por un cirujano experimentado.

UNASSIGNED: Identificar factores de riesgo asociados a complicaciones mayores en pacientes con pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa sometidos a nefrectomía.
UNASSIGNED: Análisis retrospectivo de expedientes clínicos de pacientes con pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa sometidos a nefrectomía. Se analizaron el sexo, el índice de masa corporal, el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson, la clasificación del estado físico de la American Society of Anesthesiologists, la etapa de Malek, el conteo leucocitario y los valores de creatinina. Las complicaciones se estratificaron en menores y mayores según la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo. Se realizó análisis univariado y bivariado usando las pruebas exacta de Fisher y ji al cuadrado de Pearson, y se establecieron medidas de riesgo utilizando la odds ratio (OR).
UNASSIGNED: Se analizaron 72 pacientes con una edad media de 50 años, el 83% mujeres, el 58.3% con urocultivo positivo y el 66% con litiasis renal. El 32% tuvieron alguna complicación mayor y el 15% requirieron admisión a la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Los valores elevados de creatinina (OR: 3.8; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1.1-13; p = 0.02) y la etapa Malek II-III (OR: 4.5; IC95%: 1.2-17.5; p = 0.02) se asociaron con complicaciones mayores.
UNASSIGNED: El estadio de Malek y los valores elevados de creatinina incrementan el riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones mayores en los pacientes con pielonefritis xantogranulomatosa sometidos a nefrectomía.
OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative risk factors associated with major complications in patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis undergoing total nephrectomy.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patient’s charts with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis who underwent nephrectomy. Risk factors included for analysis were gender, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, Malek’s stage, leukocyte count and creatinine levels. Postoperative complications were stratified in minor and major according to Clavien-Dindo’s classification. Univariate and bivariate analysis using Fisher’s exact test, Pearson’s chi-squared and odds ratio (OR) was performed.
RESULTS: 72 patients were analyzed, 83% women, mean age of 50 years, 58.3% positive urine cultures and 66% kidney stones. Major complications were present in 32% of cases, and 15% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Elevated creatinine (OR: 3.8; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.1-13; p = 0.02) and Malek’s stage II to III (OR: 4.5; 95%CI: 1.2-17.5; p = 0.02) were associated with major complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The Malek Stage and elevated creatinine increases the risk of major complications in patients undergoing nephrectomy due to xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare inflammatory disease, characterized by replacement of renal parenchyma with granulomatous tissue. Initial clinical presentation includes abdominal pain and constitutional symptoms related to recurrent urinary infections. The microorganisms most commonly involved are Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Final diagnosis is made by histopathology, and the only curative treatment is total or partial nephrectomy. A recently diagnosed case in our unit is presented, as well as an update on the knowledge of this disease.