Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: 5 years of experience in 201 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2000 to September 2005, 201 patients with renal stones >2 cm underwent tubeless PCNL by a single surgeon. We report details of the outcomes. RESULTS: The complete stone clearance rate was 91.04% (183 patients). After surgery, 18 patients (8.96%) had stones (mean size = 7 mm) detected on a plain abdominal radiograph or ultrasonographic examination and were referred for shockwave lithotripsy. The mean stone size was 30 mm (range 20-40 mm). The mean operative time was 35 minutes (range 30-60 min), and the mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (range 2-5 days). Postoperative ultrasonography did not reveal considerable fluid collection. There were no visceral injuries. Twenty-two (10.9%) patients received a transfusion, and 16 (7.9%) patients had urinary tract infection. CONCLUSION: In our experience, tubeless PCNL is safe, effective, and feasible without any discomfort for patients.