Safe Completion of Laparoscopic Anterior Resection in a Patient With a Solitary Pelvic Kidney: A Case Report

Pelvic kidney, an ectopic renal mass caused by developmental failure, is a rare condition. Here, we report a case of laparoscopic anterior resection in a patient with a solitary pelvic kidney. A 76-year-old man was diagnosed as having rectosigmoid colon cancer. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a left ectopic kidney in his pelvis. Computed tomographic angiography and retrograde pyelography were performed preoperatively to identify the renal vessels and the ureter. To keep the surgical plane intact for complete mesocolic excision, a complete laparoscopic anterior resection was safely performed without open conversion, and there was no injury to the pelvic kidney. The patient was discharged on postoperative day eight without any complication. No deterioration of renal function was observed after surgery. This report describes a case of laparoscopic anterior resection that was safely performed without conversion to open surgery in a patient with a pelvic ectopic kidney.