The use of the tissue adhesive enbucrilate (histoacryl) in the treatment of symptomatic nephroptosis

Purpose: To evaluate the use of the tissue adhesive enbucrilate in the treatment of symptomatic nephroptosis.

Materials and methods: We performed adhesive nephropexy in 9 patients who presented with well-documented symptomatic nephroptosis that was demonstrated with intravenous pyelography and/or radionuclide renogram studies. The ptotic kidney was fixed on the psoas muscle using 0.5 ml of enbucrilate (Histoacryl).

Results: Adhesive nephropexy was successful in all 9 patients. Average operative time was 37 min. Postoperative opioid analgesia duration and hospital stay were limited (mean 2 and 4.4 days, respectively). Most patients returned to normal activity within 2 weeks (mean 14.2 days). Mean follow-up was 25 months and showed postoperatively a good anatomical result in radiographic studies as well as significant pain alleviation (mean 1 vs. 7 preoperatively, on a 10-point scale, p < 0.005 Wilcoxon rank test).

Conclusions: The tissue adhesive enbucrilate seems to be a safe, efficient agent to obtain good results in a simple, quick approach in the surgical treatment of symptomatic nephroptosis.