Laparoscopic nephrectomy for pyonephrosis during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

The maternal and fetal complications of pyonephrosis during pregnancy can be devastating, thus the call for urgent but safe intervention. Laparoscopic nephrectomy has been used safely and effectively in nonpregnant patients with pyonephrotic kidney. We report on a case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with pyonephrotic kidney that we believe to be the first such case managed by transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. A review of the reported cases of laparoscopic nephrectomy for different indications and by different approaches during pregnancy is also presented.