Questioning the wisdom of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): a prospective randomized controlled study of early tube removal vs tubeless PCNL

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)
Level of Evidence 1b

OBJECTIVE

To establish the efficacy of early removal of a nephrostomy tube after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), to challenge the wisdom of tubeless PCNL, as we hypothesized that it would result in a shorter hospital stay, comparable benefit and safety, while maintaining the option of check nephroscopy ensuring far superior stone clearance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 22 patients were prospectively randomized equally into two groups, group 1 (early nephrostomy removal) or group 2 (tubeless) during a 1‐month study period. Inclusion criteria for the study were: a simple stone of <3 cm, no significant bleeding, no perforation, single‐tract access and ‘on‐table’ complete stone clearance. In group 1, a 20 F nephrostomy, 6 F retrograde ureteric catheter and a Foley catheter were used, while in group 2 only a 6 F retrograde ureteric catheter and Foley catheter were placed at the end of the procedure. Computed tomography (CT) with no contrast medium was done on the first morning after surgery before removing all catheters/tubes, and patients discharged subsequently. The variables assessed were stone clearance, hospital stay, analgesic requirement, postoperative complications and auxiliary procedures.

RESULTS

The mean (sd ) stone bulk was similar between the groups, at 2737 (946.9) and 2934.2 (2090.7) µL, respectively. Despite an on‐table complete clearance, clearance assessed by CT was nine of 11 vs eight of 11 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. CT showed a 6 mm stone in one patient in group 1, while the remaining patients had stones of <4 mm. The mean (sd ) analgesic requirement, haemoglobin decrease, urine leak and hospital stay in the two groups were 72.7 (51.8) vs 68.2 (46.2) mg of tramadol (P= 0.25), 1.6 (0.7) vs 1.6 (0.9) g/dL (P= 0.39), 13.9 (6.3) vs 7.1 (14.2) h (P= 0.018) and 72.8 (2.1) vs 70.2 (18.5) h (P= 0.09), respectively. Complications noted were early haematuria in none vs three (P= 0.21), urinoma none vs one, and fever in two vs one, respectively; one patient in group 1 required a check nephroscopy for a residual fragment. Overall clearance including re‐treatment was 10/11 vs eight of 11 (P= 0.009), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Early tube removal after PCNL results in an equivalent analgesic requirement, decrease in haemoglobin and hospital stay as tubeless PCNL. It has a significantly lower incidence of early haematuria, better clearance rates and preserves the option of check nephroscopy. It can be considered as an accepted standard of care, with the preserved advantages of tubeless PCNL.     

Totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective randomized controlled study

The purpose of this study was to perform a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the role, safety, and effectiveness of totally tubeless PCNL and whether this procedure is less morbid in terms of analgesia requirement, related complications and convalescence. A total of 131 patients, with impacted ureteropelvic junction stone or single renal pelvic stone larger than 20 mm, were prospectively randomized (using random numbers table) into two groups, and underwent conventional (63 patients) or totally tubeless (68 patients) PCNL. Preoperative data included urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood count, biochemistry study, renal ultrasonography, intravenous urography and Tc 99m DTPA clearance for determination of selective glomerular filtration rate. Intraoperative findings, operative time, and outcome were also recorded. All patients were followed regularly at clinic every 3 months during year 1 and every 6 months, thereafter, and Tc 99m DTPA clearance for the determination of selective glomerular filtration rate, renal ultrasonography and intravenous urography was performed to assess the kidney function 6 months later. There was no difference between the groups with regard to serum creatinine change, hemoglobin decrease, morphology improvement, resumption of normal activity and complication grading. The length of stay, pain visual analog scale and analgesic requirements favored the tubeless group with statistical significance. There was significant statistical difference in relative perfusion rate between preoperative and postoperative in both groups. This trial demonstrates that totally tubeless PCNL is safe and well tolerated in selected patients and associated with decreases in length of stay, postoperative pain and analgesia requirement. Most importantly, patients undergoing uncomplicated PCNL are not mandated to have a nephrostomy or ureteral stent placed for specific indications.     

A prospective randomized study comparing perioperative outcome variables after epidural or general anesthesia for lumbar disc surgery

General and regional anesthesia (spinal and epidural) can be performed successfully for lumbar disc surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the superiority of general anesthesia or epidural anesthesia techniques in lumbar laminectomy and discectomy. Sixty patients undergoing lumbar partial hemilaminectomy and discectomy were randomly divided into two groups receiving standardized general anesthesia (GA) or epidural anesthesia (EA). Demographically, both groups were similar. Surgical onset time (36.72 +/- 5.47 vs. 25.40 +/- 7.83 minutes) was longer in the EA group, but total anesthesia time (154.32 +/- 35.73 vs. 162.40 +/- 26.79 minutes) did not differ between the two groups. Surgical time (118.80 +/- 35.42 vs. 139.60 +/- 26.80 minutes) was longer in the GA group. The heart rate and mean arterial pressure values of the EA group measured 15, 20, and 25 minutes after local anesthetic administration to the epidural catheter were found to be lower than in the GA group measured after induction of general anesthesia. The frequency of bradycardia (EA vs. GA, 3 vs. 2), tachycardia (3 vs. 7), and hypotension (6 vs. 4) during anesthesia did not differ between the groups, but the occurrence of hypertension (1 vs. 7) was higher in the GA group. Blood loss was less in the EA group than in the GA group (180.40 +/- 70.38 vs. 288.60 +/- 112.51 mL). Postanesthesia care unit (PACU) heart rate and mean arterial pressure were higher in the GA group. Peak pain scores in PACU and postoperative 24 hours were higher in the GA group when compared with the EA group. Nausea was more common in the GA group both in PACU and 24 hours after surgery. There was no difference between the hospitalization duration of the groups. In conclusion, this study suggests that EA is an important alternative to GA during lumbar disc surgery.     

Re: Totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective randomized controlled study

The study is unique in terms of defining the safety of totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Furthermore, the authors state that the tubeless group has an advantage of less pain. However, we interpreted the results of pain-related comparisons different than that the authors had. In our opinion, the results gained show that there is no difference in terms of pain in both groups. The authors state that they have inserted a double J catheter to patients that were included in the tubeless group in addition to the nephrostomy as a conventional procedure. However, routine Double-J placement in addition to nephrostomy is not a common procedure. Additionally, the large-bore nephrostomy tube preferred is certain to cause pain, as stated in the previous studies. It has been shown that small-bore tubes cause less pain. It may have been more appropriate to compare the groups in such a manner. Even though we have stated our comments with respect to pain issues, it is evident that the study is unique in terms of defining the safety of a totally tubeless procedure.     

The feasibility of regional anesthesia in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy with supracostal approach and its comparison with general anesthesia

There are various approaches for the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Supracostal approach is a well known technique for doing of it. This approach is being done commonly under general anesthesia (GA). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the feasibility of supracostal PCNL under regional anesthesia (RA) and compared it with the same procedure under GA. Since March 2000 to March 2005, a total of 123 renal stone cases underwent PCNL with supracostal access in our center. GA was selected in 69 cases (56 %) (Group 1), spinal anesthesia (SA) in 45 cases (36.5 %), and epidural anesthesia (EA) in 9 cases (7.5 %) (Group 2). The operative time, success rate, hospital stay, and ensuing complications were compared between group 1 and group 2. There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 among surgical parameters, including age, stone area, anesthesia time, and hospitalization time (P > 0.05). There was no difference in the rate of complications or success rate between GA and RA cases (P > 0.05). Overall complete stone free rate, regardless of stone size, in relation to type of anesthesia was as follows: 88.4 % for GA, 88.9 % for EA, and 91.1 % for SA (P > 0.05). Conversion to GA was not needed in any patient with RA. The results showed that the supracostal PCNL with regional anesthesia was feasible but without evident advantages versus general anesthesia in this population, and possible advantages of the procedure in patients with pulmonary co-morbidities have still to be evaluated. The anesthesia related complications of RA were negligible and easily controllable.     

A randomized study comparing combined spinal epidural or general anesthesia for renal transplant surgery

INTRODUCTION: The appropriate anesthesia for renal transplantation requires minimal toxicity for patients and for the transplanted organ, as well as sufficient pain relief and maintenance of vital functions. The aim of this study was to determine how the anesthetic technique influences the outcome in patients after renal transplantation in terms of preoperative and intraoperative hemodynamic changes and blood gas changes. METHODS: Fifty adult patients undergoing renal transplantation were randomly divided into two groups receiving standardized general anesthesia or combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. RESULTS: Demographically both groups were similar. Total anesthesia time (202 +/- 53 vs 186 +/- 37 minutes) and surgical time (191 +/- 52 vs 162 +/- 31 minutes) did not differ between the groups. The heart rate and systolic blood pressure values of the groups as measured before induction and 5, 15, 20, 30, as well as 60 minutes thereafter did not differ between the groups. Neither the frequency of bradycardia (four vs two) nor of hypotension (six vs four) during anesthesia differed between regional versus general anesthesia groups. CONCLUSION: Regional is an important alternative to general anesthesia during renal transplantation surgery in adult patients.     

Massive haemorrhage presenting as a complication after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Authors describe and discuss cases of massive haemorrhage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In 10 (0.3%) of 3080 patients who underwent PCNL massive haemorrhage from renal fistula drain or urinary bladder was observed. Renal arteriography was performed in this group, of patients which revealed arterioveneous fistulae in 4 patients and aneurysms of renal artery branches in 2. In 4 patients arteriography did not reveal haemorrhage. In one patient nephrectomy was necessary to stop the haemorrhage.     

Ureteroscopy assisted retrograde nephrostomy: a new technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Retrograde nephrostomy was first developed by Lawson et al. in 1983, and Hunter et al. reported 30 cases of retrograde nephrostomy in 1987. This procedure uses less radiation exposure and has a shorter duration compared with the previous percutaneous nephrostomy techniques. Retrograde nephrostomy using Lawson's procedure was reported in the late 1980s by several authors. But since then, few studies have been reported about this procedure due to the development of ultrasonography assisted percutaneous nephrostomy. With the arrival and development of the flexible ureteroscope (URS) both observation and manipulation in the renal pelvis are now easily achieved. The present procedure provides less radiation exposure, less bleeding, and a shorter procedure than previous percutaneous nephrostomy techniques. Using this procedure, after the needle has exited through the skin, no further steps are required in preparation for dilatation. In the present study, we continuously visualised from puncture to inserting the nephron‐access sheath with the URS.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To describe a technique for ureteroscopy assisted retrograde nephrostomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Under general and epidural anaesthesia, the patient is placed in a modified‐Valdivia position. Flexible ureteroscopy is carried out, and a Lawson retrograde nephrostomy puncture wire is placed in the ureteroscope (URS).
• ? After the needle has exited through the skin, no further steps are required in preparation for dilatation.

RESULTS

• ? After informed consent was obtained, two patients (a 43‐year‐old man with left renal stones and a 57‐year‐old woman with right renal stones) underwent this procedure.
• ? The URS was positioned in the middle posterior calyx and punctured toward the skin.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? This procedure involves less radiation exposure and shorter surgery than the previous percutaneous nephrostomy technique.
• ? Our technique represents another new option for percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with a non‐dilated intrarenal collecting system.

     

Simultaneous bilateral tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy of staghorn stones: a prospective randomized controlled study

A randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of staged versus simultaneous bilateral tubeless PCNL for bilateral renal staghorn stones. A total of 99 patients, with bilateral renal staghorn stones, were prospectively randomized into two groups, and underwent staged tubeless PCNL (49 patients) or simultaneous bilateral tubeless PCNL (50 patients). Preoperative data included urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood count, biochemistry study, renal ultrasonography, intravenous urography, and Tc 99m DTPA clearance for the determination of selective glomerular filtration rate. Intraoperative findings, operative time, and outcome were also recorded. All patients were followed regularly at clinic every 3 months during year 1 and every 6 months thereafter, and Tc 99m DTPA clearance for determination of selective glomerular filtration rate was performed to assess the kidney function 6 months later. There was no difference between the groups with regard to serum creatinine change, hemoglobin decrease, and complication grading. The length of stay, convalescence period, pain visual analog scale, analgesic requirements, and direct cost favored the simultaneous bilateral tubeless group with statistical significance. There was no significant statistical difference in relative perfusion rate between preoperative and postoperative in both groups. This study demonstrates that simultaneous bilateral tubeless PCNL is a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective option in bilateral renal staghorn calculi, which is associated with low morbidity, short hospital stay, high stone-free rate, and early return-to-normal activity.     

Effectiveness of totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in selected patients: a prospective randomized study

Objectives  Compared with the standard technique, the number of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) operations without a drainage catheter is increasing in recent years. In this prospective randomized study, we compared the morbidity of totally tubeless (tubeless and stentless) PCNL operations with the standard operation technique in a single center with a selected patient population. Methods  Ninety patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. Forty-five patients underwent totally tubeless PCNL (Group 1) and a 14F malecot nephrostomy catheter was used in another set of 45 patients (Group 2). Inclusion criteria for the study were no serious bleeding or perforation in the collecting system during the operation, stone free or clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF <4 mm), and no more than one access. Results  When two groups were compared with regard to age, stone volume, postoperative hemoglobin change, transfusion rate, and operation time, no significant differences were found between the two groups. However, a significant difference was found in hospitalization time between the two groups (P < 0.05). The amount of non-steroidal analgesic (tenoxicam) needed and non-steroidal analgesia-resistant pain which was resolved with narcotic analgesics (meperidine) were significantly lower in Group 1 (P < 0.05). Complications were observed in two patients (4.5%) in Group 1 (one retroperitoneal hematoma, one long-lasting renal colic) and in six patients (13.3%) in Group 2 (five prolonged urine drainage, one long-lasting fever) (P < 0.05). Conclusions  Tubeless and stentless PCNL is a safe method and reduces hospitalization time and analgesic requirement, and promotes quality of life in selected patients.     

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in selected patients: a prospective randomized comparison

Objectives To prospectively compare the outcome of standard and tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in a selected group of patients with renal stones. Methods Patients with simple, isolated renal pelvis or lower pole caliceal stones and no significant hydronephrosis were randomly enrolled to undergo either standard PNL, in which routine nephrostomy tube was placed at the end of operation, or tubeless PNL. Occurrence of intraoperative complications, total operative time exceeding 2 h, indication for additional access or second-look PNL due to residual stones were exclusion criteria. Results There were 11 isolated lower pole caliceal stones (mean stone burden: 3.1 cm²) and 6 isolated renal pelvis stones (mean stone burden: 2.8 cm²) in the tubeless PNL group (n: 17), and 9 isolated lower pole caliceal stones (mean stone burden: 3.4 cm²) and 9 isolated renal pelvis stones (mean stone burden: 3.1 cm²) in the standard PNL group (n: 18). Mean operation time was 59.6 ± 9.1 (range: 50–90) min in the tubeless group, and 67.3 ± 10.1 (range: 60–115) min in the standard PNL group (P > 0.05). Successful stone removal was achieved in all patients, and no significant complication was observed in any case. The mean postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly less in the tubeless group (P < 0.05). Mean hospital stay was 1.6 ± 0.4 (range: 1–3) days in the tubeless group, and 2.8 ± 0.9 (range: 2–4) days in the former group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicate that tubeless PNL is safe in the management of selected patients and that mean analgesic requirement as well as hospitalization time is diminished with this modification. Presented at the 23rd World Congress on Endourology and SWL, August 23–26, 2005, Amsterdam, The Netherlands     

Duodenal perforation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a pediatric patient: A case report

Introduction

Colonic perforations are known complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, to the best of our knowledge, small bowel perforation has rarely been reported..