Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in selected patients.

BACKGROUND: Placement of the nephrostomy tube is the last step after completion of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We were able to demonstrate in selected patients who had undergone PCNL that the use of an externalized ureteral catheter can reduce postoperative discomfort without complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 37 patients underwent tubeless PCNL with an externalized 6F ureteral catheter for 48 hours. Inclusion criteria were use of a single access site where the renal unit was not obstructive, no significant perforation and bleeding, and no need for a second look. The stone burden was not taken into account. RESULTS: The procedure was performed successfully without major complications. The average length of hospitalization was 3.63 days: 25 patients stayed for 4 days, with the final day reserved for observation after removal of the catheter. The remaining 12 patients stayed only 3 days and could be discharged on the day the catheter was removed. The average intramuscular analgesic requirement was 38.57 mg of meperidine, and none of the patients needed a blood transfusion or required the emergency placement of a nephrostomy tube. CONCLUSION: In properly selected patients, tubeless PCNL with only an externalized ureteral catheter was found to be safe and just as economical as tubeless PCNL with the same outcome.     

Totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in selected patients

PURPOSE: Significant early postoperative discomfort after percutaneous procedures is usually secondary to nephrostomy tubes and externalized ureteral catheters. We describe our modification of the traditional percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) approach that we name "totally tubeless PCNL." PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2000 and May 2001, 60 consecutive PCNLs were performed at our centers. At the end of the surgery, we omitted the nephrostomy tube and removed the externalized catheter in selected patients: no solitary kidney, stone size <3 cm, and without any obstructions or arterial bleeding. A total of 30 patients underwent totally tubeless PCNL (group 1). We compared their results with those of a control group of 30 patients who underwent standard PCNL (group 2). The incidence of complications, analgesic requirements, length of hospitalization, and time to return to normal activities were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: In both groups, PCNL was performed successfully without any significant complications. A 90% stone-free rate was achieved in both groups, and in the remaining patients, small residual stones (<4 mm) were detected. No urinoma was demonstrated by postoperative ultrasound scanning in group 1. The average length of hospitalization was 1.5 days for group 1 and 3 days for group 2. The average analgesic requirements were 30 mg of pentazosin in group 1 and 90 mg in group 2. No transfusion was needed. There were three complications: 2 patients (6.6%) had urinary tract infection in group 1 and 1 (3.3%) in group 2. All were managed medically. CONCLUSIONS: Omitting the percutaneous nephrostomy tube and removing ureteral catheter at the end of surgery in selected patients were safe and accompanied by significantly reduced postoperative discomfort, length of hospitalization, and analgesic requirements. Further studies are needed to determine the role of this technique.     

Cauterization of access tract for nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous nephrolithotomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is now a popular method for removal of renal and ureteral stones. Placement of a nephrostomy tube after the completion of PCNL has been considered a standard procedure by most urologists, but some authors have recently challenged this practice. Bleeding is one of the most prevalent problems after nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous renal surgery. To diminish the possibility of postoperative bleeding, we cauterized the PCNL tract to make it bloodless. The efficacy and safety of this procedure were reviewed in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to March 2003, 51 patients underwent PCNL with a one-stage procedure and a single access tract. The stone size ranged from 1.0 to 7.0 cm (mean 2.7 +/- 1.4 cm). A holmium:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripter were used. After stone extraction, a 6F double-J catheter was inserted antegrade. The access tract was checked, and the bleeding points were cauterized. No nephrostomy tube was inserted, but a Penrose drain was left overnight. Perforation of the collecting system was not a contraindication to tubeless PCNL. RESULTS: The stone-free rate was 80.4%, including five patients with complete staghorn stones. Twenty-one patients required postoperative analgesics. Only one patient had urine leakage for longer than 24 hours. Transient low fever was noted in five patients, but no patient experienced severe urinary tract infection. Delayed hemorrhage (1 week after the operation) secondary to irritation by the double-J ureteral stent was noted in one patient. The average postoperative hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 1-3 days). No patient required a blood transfusion. No urinoma was noted on the postoperative ultrasound follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous renal surgery is a safe and effective procedure for selected patients with minimal hemorrhage after PCNL. Cauterization of tract bleeding points may make this modification a more secure procedure and make it suitable for more patients.     

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery: a feasibility study with review of literature

PURPOSE: To present our initial experience of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery underwent tubeless PCNL at our institute. Patients with large renal and/or upper ureteral calculi, irrespective of the number and size of the stones, amount of hydronephrosis, or the renal parameters, were selected for the procedure. Exclusion criteria were patients needing more than two percutaneous tracts, significant bleeding, and a significant residual stone burden that would necessitate a staged PCNL. The perioperative outcome of these patients (study group) was retrospectively compared with an historic cohort of the same number of patients with a history of open surgery for renal calculi who underwent ipsilateral PCNL with routine placement of a nephrostomy tube (control group). RESULTS: The two groups had comparable demographic data. Patients in the study group needed less postoperative analgesia (P = 0.000). They were discharged a mean of 10 hours earlier (P = 0.000). Two patients in both groups required blood transfusion. No urinoma or urinary leak from the nephrostomy site occurred in the study group. The incidence of other postoperative complications was comparable in both groups. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 88% of patients in the study group and 84% patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: The tubeless approach in patients with a history of open renal surgery is associated with decreased analgesia requirement and hospital stay without compromising stone-free rates or increasing the complications.     

Safety and efficacy of tubeless percutaneous renal surgery

PURPOSE: We challenge the requirement for routine placement of a nephrostomy tube after percutaneous renal surgery, assessing the outcome, safety, and efficacy of tubeless procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 128 patients underwent tubeless percutaneous renal surgery from May 2001 to May 2004: stone extraction in 120 patients and endopyelotomy +/- stone extraction in 8. The stone sizes ranged from 2 to 7 cm with a mean of 4.1 cm. An external ureteral catheter was used in 120 patients and was removed after 24 hours if a retrograde study revealed no extravasation. An antegrade Double-J stent was used in 8 patients and removed 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. Among the 128 patients treated by the tubeless technique, we met situations that mandated insertion of a nephrostomy tube in 18. RESULTS: The stone free-rate was 90.4%. The mean hospital stay was 1.7 days. The incidence of significant intraoperative bleeding was 1.5% and that of significant postoperative hematuria was 4.6%. Postoperative sonography revealed a small perirenal collection (<50 mL) in 10 patients (7.8%) and significant perirenal collections (100-250 mL) in 3 (2.3%). The postoperative retrograde study revealed minor extravasation in 14 patients (12%) and significant extravasation in 3 (2.3%) CONCLUSION: Tubeless percutaneous renal surgery with an externalized ureteral catheter is a safe procedure that is suitable for any patient who can be rendered stone free with a single procedure regardless of the initial stone burden.     

Almost totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: further evolution of the technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is renewed interest in the concept of foregoing placement of the postoperative nephrostomy tube (PNT) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with the intent of reducing postoperative discomfort and hospital stay. We have omitted the PNT and placed an internal ureteral stent or externalized ureteral catheter after PCNL in selected patients. We reviewed our experience in order to assess the efficacy and safety of this practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary PCNL was performed in 26 renal units in 21 patients (5 bilateral PCNL, 4 of which were simultaneous) by one surgeon at the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A postoperative nephrostomy tube was placed if the stone burden was >3 cm, more than one access site was used, the renal anatomy was obstructive, significant bleeding or perforation was noted, or a second look was required. RESULTS: No PNT was placed in 10 renal units in 8 patients (no-PNT group). In six no-PNT kidneys, internal ureteral stents were used, and in four, externalized ureteral stents were placed for 1 to 2 days. The mean stone size in the PNT and no-PNT patients was 3.0 and 1.8 cm, respectively. Of the 16 kidneys in the PNT group, 4 were initially eligible for omission of PNT, but a PNT was placed because of bleeding or other access-related problem. All patients were rendered stone free except for three (one PNT and two no-PNT) patients, who each had a fragment < or =4 mm. Omission of PNT placement resulted in decreased mean length of stay (2.3 days in the no-PNT group v 3.6 days in the PNT group). There were four complications, all managed with delayed stenting (one in a no-PNT patient and the remaining three in the PNT group). CONCLUSION: Omission of PNT placement in selected patients may reduce morbidity without compromising efficacy and safety, but further study is needed.     

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for caliceal diverticular calculi: a novel single stage approach

PURPOSE: Current percutaneous treatment of symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi involves renal access, stone removal, dilation of the diverticular communication, fulguration of the cavity and placement of a nephrostomy tube. We reviewed the outcomes of patients undergoing a novel single stage percutaneous nephrolithotomy technique for radiopaque caliceal diverticular stones that eliminates ureteral catheterization and entry into the renal collecting system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients (8 male and 13 female including 1 bilateral) with a mean age of 42.4 years underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy for caliceal diverticular stones from February 2001 to May 2003. Of the diverticula 12 were upper pole, 4 were interpolar and 6 were lower pole. Infracostal access was established by the urologist directly onto the radiopaque stones without the aid of a ureteral catheter. After balloon tract dilation a 30Fr Amplatz sheath was placed and following stone removal the diverticulum was fulgurated. The infundibulum was neither cannulated nor dilated. A 20Fr red rubber catheter or an 8.5Fr Cope loop was placed into the diverticulum. Stone-free status was assessed by noncontrast computerized tomography on postoperative day 1 (POD1). The drainage tube was removed if there was no urine drainage and the kidney was stone-free. Excretory urography was performed at 3 months to evaluate diverticular resolution. RESULTS: Of 21 patients 20 were discharged home tubeless on POD1 and 18 of 21 (85.7%) renal units were stone- free on POD1 noncontrast computerized tomography. Mean operative time was 58.5 minutes and mean stone burden was 138.9 mm. Mean stone diameter was 11.6 mm and mean diverticular diameter was 15.3 mm. Of 22 renal units 16 had followup excretory urography. All diverticula decreased in size and 14 (87.5%) had complete resolution. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic radiopaque caliceal diverticular stones, a single stage procedure without the need for ureteral catheterization combined with direct infracostal diverticular puncture allows for a rapid procedure with little morbidity.     

留置输尿管外支架的无管化经皮肾镜取石术的安全性和效果分析

目的：探讨留置输尿管外支架的无管化经皮肾镜取石术（tubeles spercutaneous nephrolithotomy,tubelessPCNL）的安全性和有效性。方法：回顾性分析43例留置输尿管外支架的tubelessPCNL治疗肾或输尿管上段结石的患者资料。男23例,女20例,平均年龄44．9岁。其中肾盂结石22例,输尿管上段结石18例,肾多发性结石3例。结石最大径为（2．4±1．1）cm。合并患肾轻度积液4例,中度积液21例,重度积液18例。在经皮肾镜取石术结束时,通过B超和c臂x线证实结石已经完全清除,然后把逆行插入的输尿管导管的头端调整至肾盂的中央,让扩张鞘退至肾造瘘通道以外,证实瘘道无活动性出血,最后拔除扩张鞘,并用丝线缝合皮肤伤口。结果：43例患者,其中41例结石完全清除,2例为无意义残留结石。手术时间30～75min,平均45min。手术引起血红蛋白平均下降6．5g／L。术后第1天视觉疼痛评分为（3．0±1．4）分。术后平均住院天数为3d。术后出现急迫性尿失禁1例,。肾周血肿1例,发热2例,持续性肉眼血尿2例,轻度尿外渗2例。结论：在严格掌握手术适应证的前提下,留置输尿管外支架的tubeless PCNL是安全和有效的。     

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: what about replacing the Double-J stent with a ureteral catheter?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of replacing the Double-J stent with a ureteral catheter in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1998 to February 2007, 33 patients underwent tubeless PCNL for renal calculi by the same surgeon. A retrograde 7F ureteral catheter was placed at the beginning of the surgery in all patients. A nephrostomy tube was not used in any patient. At the end of the procedure, the working tract was electrocauterized using a 26F resectoscope with a rollerball electrode; no hemostatic sealant was used. The ureteral catheter was the sole means of drainage left in place. The incidence and type of complications, the operative time, the length of hospitalization, the rate of transfusion, and the degree of pain were obtained by chart review. RESULTS: In this group of patients, the mean stone burden was 17.25 mm. The mean operative time was 71.5 min. The mean length of hospitalization was 1.9 day (range 1 to 7 days). The mean hemoglobin decrease was 0.8 g/dL. No blood transfusions were needed. The mean visual analog pain intensity scale was 1.87. Complications developed in five (15%) patients, of whom one needed a Double-J stent placement. The complications were pyelonephritis, urinary extravasation, sustained hematuria, and renal colic. The ureteral catheter was removed by postoperative day 1 in 91% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing the Double-J stent with a ureteral catheter in tubeless PCNL is an effective procedure and can be performed in patients with a moderate stone burden. The electrocauterization of the bleeding points at the end of percutaneous renal surgery with a rollerball resectoscope is safe.     

三种经皮肾穿刺取石术治疗上尿路结石对照分析

目的：比较李氏肾镜与标准经皮肾镜及微创经皮肾输尿管镜治疗上尿路结石的有效性与安全性,提高上尿路结石的治疗水平.方法：2005年1月～2009年1月,三种经皮肾穿刺取石术治疗上尿路结石132例,其中包括肾结石87例（包括肾脏单发及多发结石56例,鹿角型结石31例）,输尿管上段结石45例.标准经皮肾镜取石术34例,年龄34～78岁,平均57岁;结石大小2.3～5.8 cm,平均3.5 cm;鹿角型结石14例.微创经皮肾输尿管镜取石术52例,年龄31～77岁,平均51岁;结石大小2.1～5.0 cm,平均3.3 cm;鹿角型结石8例.经皮李氏肾镜取石术46例,年龄29～81岁,平均55岁;结石大小2.0～5.5 cm,平均3.0 cm;鹿角型结石9例.对三组患者手术时间、留置造瘘管时间、I期结石清除率及手术出血进行比较.结果：李氏肾镜治疗输尿管上端结石（L4）手术时间（56±5）min,治疗上尿路结石I期手术清除率为80.43%,出血量为（156±38）ml,输血率2.17%,与标准经皮肾镜及微创经皮肾输尿管镜比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.对李氏肾镜治疗6例肾盂单发结石患者实行＂无管化＂,均恢复较好,无一例发生出血、漏尿及感染.结论：李氏肾镜在微造瘘经皮肾手术中较标准肾镜和输尿管镜代肾镜具有操作更简化、手术效率更高、剩余结石更少、并发症减少等优点.     

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective feasibility study and review of previous reports

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in managing renal and upper ureteric calculi, from initial experience and a review of previous reports. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2004 to December 2004, 46 patients were scheduled for tubeless PCNL in a prospective study. Patients with solitary kidney, or undergoing bilateral simultaneous PCNL or requiring a supracostal access were also enrolled. Patients needing more than three percutaneous access tracts, or with significant bleeding or a significant residual stone burden necessitating a staged second-look nephroscopy were excluded. At the end of the procedure, a JJ ureteric stent was placed antegradely and a nephrostomy tube avoided. The patients' demographic data, the outcomes during and after surgery, complications, success rate, and stent-related morbidity were analysed. Previous reports were reviewed to evaluate the current status of tubeless PCNL. RESULTS: Of the 46 patients initially considered only 40 (45 renal units) were assessed. The mean stone size in these patients was 33 mm and 23 patients had multiple stones. Three patients had a serum creatinine level of >2 mg/dL (>177 micromol/L). Five patients had successful bilateral simultaneous tubeless PCNL. In all, 51 tracts were required in 45 renal units, 30 of which were supracostal. The mean decrease in haemoglobin was 1.2 g/dL and two patients required a blood transfusion after PCNL. There was no urine leakage or formation of urinoma after surgery, and no major chest complications in patients requiring a supracostal access tract, except for one with hydrothorax, managed conservatively. The mean hospital stay was 26 h and analgesic requirement 40.6 mg of diclofenac. Stones were completely cleared in 87% of renal units and 9% had residual fragments of < 5 mm. Two patients required extracorporeal lithotripsy for residual calculi. In all, 30% of patients had bothersome stent-related symptoms and 60% needed analgesics and/or antispasmodics to treat them. CONCLUSION: Tubeless PCNL was safe and effective even in patients with a solitary kidney, or with three renal access tracts or supracostal access, or with deranged renal values and in those requiring bilateral simultaneous PCNL. The literature review suggested a need for prospective, randomized studies to evaluate the role of fibrin sealant and/or cauterization of the nephrostomy tract in tubeless PCNL.     

无管化经皮肾镜治疗肾和输尿管上段结石

目的探讨无管化经皮肾镜碎石取石术（PCNL）治疗肾和输尿管上段结石的安全性、可行性和禁忌证。 方法回顾性研究中山大学附属第三医院·岭南医院泌尿外科2016年11月至2018年5月80例PCNL患者临床资料,已排除脓肾结石患者,根据是否留置肾造瘘管分组：患者术后输尿管内留置双J管,同时留置肾造瘘管40例（传统PCNL组）,术后只留置双J管,无留置肾造瘘管40例（无管化PCNL组)。 结果两组患者年龄、肾和输尿管结石位置和结石负荷、肾积水直径、总手术时间和结石清除率等差异比较均无统计学意义。患者术后第一天疼痛评分（VAS）试验组比对照组低（3.4±0.9 vs 5.6±1.4）,平均住院时间与对照组比较缩短（7.9±1.4 vs 8.8±1.6）d,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论无管化PCNL治疗非脓性肾输尿管上段结石安全可行,且可减轻患者术后疼痛,缩短住院时间。     

经皮肾取石术后不留置肾造瘘管的适应证和安全性

目的探讨经皮肾取石术（percutaneous nephrolithotomy,PCNL）后不留置肾造瘘管的适应证和安全性。方法根据PCNL术前、术中情况选择合适病例。入选标准：术前B超报告肾盂积水〈4 cm,血清肌酐值正常;单一穿刺通道;术前、术中无尿路感染征象;术中无出血,集合系统无大面积穿孔;无结石残留,或虽有小结石残留但不需要行二次经皮肾手术者;术中顺利置入双J管;手术时间〈2 h。共入选240例输尿管上段及肾结石,按手术次序的奇偶数分为2组（各120例）：A组术后不放置肾盂造瘘管,B组术后放置F14肾盂造瘘管。结果240例均一期手术成功。2组结石清除率分别为98.3%（118/120）和96.7%（116/120）,二者相比无统计学差异（χ^2=0.171,P=0.679）。2组术中、术后均无输血病例;术后18例发热（A组8例,B组10例,χ^2=0.240,P=0.624）,均无感染性休克。术后48 h B超检查2组患者均未见肾周积液。结论对于经过严格选择的患者,经皮肾取石术后不放置肾盂造瘘管安全而有效。     

Totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy

PURPOSE: We evaluated the requirement for routine placement of a ureteral stent and a nephrostomy tube following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 43 patients underwent totally tubeless PCNL and was compared with a control group of 43 age-, sex-, weight-, and procedure-matched patients who had previously undergone PCNL with placement of a ureteral stent and a nephrostomy tube. Exclusion criteria for the tubeless approach were more than two percutaneous accesses, significant perforation of the collecting system, a large residual stone burden, significant postoperative bleeding, ureteral obstruction, and renal anomaly. The incidence of complications, length of hospitalization, analgesia requirements, and interval to return to normal activities were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: All 43 percutaneous procedures were performed without significant complications. None of the patients demonstrated urinoma in postoperative renal ultrasound scans. The average length of hospital stay was 1.6 days, with two-thirds of the patients staying <1 day for the study group, and 5.2 days for the controls (P < 0.001). The average analgesia requirement was 9.8 mg and 28.4 mg of morphine, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients returned to normal activities with 12.7 days v 24.6 days for the controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Totally tubeless PCNL is a safe and effective procedure. The hospitalization and analgesia requirements are less and the return to normal activities faster with this technique.     

Clinical study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for stones in solitary kidney

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment was performed on 17 patients with a solitary or sole functioning kidney from August 1986 to April 1988. Some patients with renal stone had a double pig tail catheter to protect the stone street and those with ureteral stones had a ureteral balloon occlusion catheter to raise the efficiency of fragmentation placed prior to ESWL as much as possible. Combined manipulation with such an instrument as nephrostomy tube to wash out residual stone fragments or endoscopic operation were performed. Despite of these devices, ESWL treatments for staghorn calculi and cystine stones were troublesome in solitary kidneys. After follow up ranged from 9 to 602 days (mean 87.6 days), 10 patients (58.8%) were stone free. ESWL treatment is safe and effective for solitary kidneys. We recommended premedication and pretreatment by ureteral stenting in patients with a solitary kidney.     

Need for ancillary procedures among patients undergoing tubeless percutaneous renal surgery for nephrolithiasis

PURPOSE: We routinely perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) without the use of nephrostomy tubes. We examined the need for secondary surgery for the treatment of residual stones in patients who underwent both tubeless surgery and PCNL with tube placement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 180 patients who underwent 186 percutaneous nephrolithotomies. Among them, 125 patients had tubeless surgery, and 61 had nephrostomy tubes. We compared the need for ancillary surgical procedures for residual stone disease in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients (79%) without tubes and 25 (41%) of those with tubes were stone free after surgery. A total of 45 ancillary procedures were performed for residual stone disease, with 15% of the tubeless and 43% of the patients with tubes requiring a second procedure. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) was the most common ancillary procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are eligible for tubeless PCNL are unlikely to need a secondary procedure, and residual stones can most often be treated with SWL. Patients who required nephrostomy tubes had more complicated disease and a greater need for subsequent surgery.     

Supra-costal tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy is not associated with increased complication rate: a prospective study of safety and efficacy of supra-costal versus sub-costal access

Background

To assess the morbidities of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using supra-costal access and re-evaluate traditional concept of increased complications with supra-costal access.

Methods

From January 2010 to December 2014, a single surgeon performed 118 consecutive one-stage fluoroscopic guided PCNL’s for complex renal and upper ureteral stone. Our definition for complex renal stone is defined as partial or complete staghorn stone, multiple renal stones in more than 2 calyxes, obstructive uretero-pelvic stone >?2?cm, and a renal stone in single functional kidney. Inclusion criteria include: staghorn stones, renal calculi >?2?cm in diameter, upper ureteral stone >?1.5?cm in diameter. Exclusion criteria for tubeless PCNL include: significant bleeding or perforation of the collecting system, large residue stone, multiple PCNL tract and obstructive renal anatomy. Morbidity, operation time, analgesia requirement, length of hospital stay, stone- free rate, were analyzed.

Results

Of the 118 consecutive PCNL, eighty-six patients underwent tubeless PCNL (56 supra-costal and 30 sub-costal) and included in our prospective follow-up period. The mean age, operation side, stone locations were similar. The male to female ratio is higher in supra-costal than sub-costal. Large renal stones and staghorn stones makes up for most patients (supra-costal: 75%, sub-costal: 80%). The stone–free rate of supra-costal group was 59% (33/56) and in sub-costal group was 50% (15/30). The operative times, length of stay, post-op analgesic use, hematocrit change was similar in both groups. The overall complication rate is 6% [supra-costal (1/56), sub-costal (4/30)] with the majority being infectious complications.

Conclusions

Supra-costal access above 12th rib during tubeless PCNL is safe and effective procedure and is not associated with higher incidence of post-op complications in experience hands.

     

Safety and efficacy of supracostal access in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of supracostal access in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2004 to November 2005, tubeless PCNL using supracostal access was done for 72 patients at our institute. Patients requiring more than two percutaneous tracts or with significant intraoperative bleeding or residual stone burden were excluded from the study. The outcome of these patients was compared with that of a historic cohort of similar patients having supracostal access with routine placement of a nephrostomy tube. The two groups had comparable demographic data. RESULTS: The differences in the mean drop in hemoglobin concentration, transfusion requirement, and complication rate in the two groups were not statistically significant, with three patients in the study group and four patients in the control group requiring blood transfusion. Patients undergoing tubeless PCNL required less analgesia (P = 0.000) and were discharged a mean of 19 hours earlier (P = 0.000) than those in the control group. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 90.27% of the renal units in the study group and 86.11% of the renal units in the control group. Two patients in the study group and three patients in the control group had postoperative hydrothorax, all of whom, except for one in the control group, were managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Supracostal access in tubeless PCNL appears to be feasible, safe, and effective, offering the advantages of a lower analgesic requirement and shorter hospital stay without increasing thoracic complications. Studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm these initial findings.     

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Experience of 1000 cases at a single institute

ObjectiveTo access the safety and efficacy of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).Materials and methodsSince January 2001, 1000 consecutive tubeless PCNLs performed at our hospital were enrolled into this retrospective chart review. The average age of the patients (659 males and 341 females) was 54.4 ± 12.6 years, and 55 patients were 75 years old or older. The stone characteristics were 490 non-complete staghorn kidney stones, 218 ureteral stones, 119 kidney + ureteral stones and 173 complete staghorn stones. The mean stone size was 3.5 ± 2.0 cm, and 200 patients had stone size ≥5.0 cm. The average operative time was 78.0 ± 29.4 minutes. The stone free rates were 78.8%, 100%, 84.9% and 45.0% for kidney, ureter, kidney + ureter and complete staghorn stones, respectively, with an overall stone free rate of 78.3%. The average postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 ± 2.1 days, and the blood transfusion rate was 2.4%. Postoperative fever was noted in 104 patients, and urosepsis was noted in 13 patients. Pulmonary complication included hydrothorax in 5 patients, hemothorax in 2 patients, pneumothorax in 2 patients and acute pulmonary edema in 1 patient. Cadiovascular complications included congestive heart failure in 1 patient and pneumomediastinum in 1 patient.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that sith adequate hemotasis, tubeless modification is a safe modality for PCNL.     

Experience in 3,500 patients with urinary stones treated with the Dornier HM-4 bath-free lithotriptor

During a 3-year period, hundreds of patients underwent ESWL treatment with the Dornier HM-3 and HM-4 lithotriptors operating at our institution. Our experience in 3,500 patients treated with the HM-4 bath-free lithotriptor is reported. Patients with radiolucent or cystine stones, stones larger than 3 cm or staghorn calculi, multiple stones with a total burden of more than 3 cm and those not amenable to follow-up were excluded from the study. The overall stone-free rate was 70.7% and 81% at 1 and 3 months, respectively. The stone-free rates at 1 and 3 months were further determined by the exact location of each stone within the urinary tract. Stone-free rates at 3 months ranged from 90.84% for renal pelvic stones to 71.08% for lower calyceal stones, while the stone-free rates for ureteral calculi ranged from 80.85% for upper third unstented ureteral stones to 92.92% for lower ureteral stones. The overall complication rate was 6.02% with a 1.2% post-ESWL intervention rate (ureteroscopy or placement of percutaneous nephrostomy or stent).