Introduction and Objectives
Percutaneus nephrolihotomy (PCNL) is recognized as treatment option for staghorn, larger stones or after failed ESWL therapy. It is a very specific procedure that requires special equipment, instruments and training. We will present our results as presentation that such procedure is well done and can be a part of a small-volume center “menu”.
Material and Methods
First PCNL was performed at our department in 1986, but from 1994 till present day we usually perform about a 15 PCNL per year and so far a 239 patients were treated with PCNL, within that number are 22 cases of patients with multiple PCNL. We do a single channel PCNL, with rigid instruments and we use electrokinetic as modality for fragmentation (rarely ultrasound probe). Only 165 medical histories were present for analysis due to loosing medical histories (war damage to archives) and since a number of patients was from other states. Average age of our patients was 53.9 years (min: 23, max: 78) and was almost same for both sexes. Males were slightly predominant (ratio to female 1.13), and left side was affected in 52.4%, with one case of bilateral PCNL. Average diameter of stones was 3.48 cm, but 51 stones were staghorn stones affecting at least 2/3 of collecting system. Mean anesthesia time was 130 minutes (min: 45, max: 360). Significant co-morbidity was present in 60.4% of patients, and 19.5% of them had previous pyelo-nephrolithotomy.
Results
Placment of JJ stent was found to be necesary in 40.5% of patients and stents were removed at first control check-up. ESWL prior to PCNL was done in 50.6% (we do have tendency to do a bimodal-therapy) and in 45.7% of patients after PCNL. Numbers for ureterorenoscopy were much smaller: prior to PCNL in 4.8% and after in 13.4% (mostly as salvage procedure for urethral fragments). Complications were noted in 31.7% cases: fever (more than 1 day) in 52 patients (32.1%), transfusion in 11 patients (6.8%), stein-strasse (treated with URS) in 4 patients, conversion to open-procedure in 3 patients and one nephrectomy (due to AV fistula, unable to do sclerosation). No injury to adherent organs or mortality was recorded. Overall stone free rate was 73.8% (modified 83.1% in those in whom a bimodal therapy was done).
Conclusions
Although our SFR is slightly smaller, one must bear in mind a large number of staghorn stones. Also we do have limited resources, so we don’t use laser or flexible instruments, but we do like a bimodal-therapy. However, our complication rates were as reported or even better, with practically no major complications. This shows that with careful selection of patients even in small volume centers a PCNL can be offered as valid treatment option.
Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
