Risk Factors for Conversion to Open Surgery in Laparoscopic Nephrectomy for Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis: A Multicenter Study.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an infrequent, but life-threatening, chronic granulomatous pyelonephritis. Surgical intervention can be challenging because of severe inflammation and often a fibrotic reaction that obliterates anatomical landmarks. In addition, a high rate of open conversion has been reported when performing a laparoscopic nephrectomy.