Carbon dioxide based nephroscopy: a trick for laparoscopic pyelolithotomy.

For certain selected cases, laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is a practical and effective method to manage renal stone disease. One such case is that of an ectopically located pelvic kidney with a large stone burden. Here, we describe our technique and provide what we feel is a trick to performing a key part of this procedure--flexible nephroscopy while using carbon dioxide gas to "inflate" the collecting system.