No abstract

In what is to our knowledge the largest series of stone analysis reported to date we identified an age and gender relationship of stone formation and composition. Regional variations are common and underline the influence of living habits, diet and standard of medical care on urinary stone formation.

Critical documentation of experience from several institutions, especially for an analysis of complications of urological laparoscopy, is important for the development of this surgical technique. The overall complication rate is comparable to other specialties. Future technical developments in trocar insertion, tissue dissection and control of bleeding with our improved training program will further reduce the complication rate.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy has become a well established procedure in those urology departments focusing on laparoscopy. The indications and results are reproducible at these centers. However, for patients with severe perinephritis (that is renal tuberculosis, xanthogranulomatous nephritis, posttraumatic atrophy) a higher likelihood of open conversion must be considered.