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[Percutaneous extraction of renal lithiasis without radiological assistance]
1Servicio de Urología, Clínica y Hospital de Especialidades de Occidente, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Objective:
To describe the utility of posterior lumbotomy with a 3-4 cm incision through which the finger is inserted to palpate the kidney and perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy when radiological guidance is not available.
Methods:
24 selected patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Stone size ranged from 1-4 cm. The calculi were located in the renal pelvis (17 cases), lower calyx (6 cases), inferior pyelocalyceal level (2 cases) inferior and mid-calyceal level (1 case).
Results:
Calculi less than 1.5 cm were completely removed and ultrasonic lithotripsy and stone extraction with forceps were effective in the remaining cases. Twenty-four kidneys required a single stage procedure. Complications were observed in 12.5% of the cases.
Conclusions:
Posterior lumbotomy with a 3-4 cm incision to palpate the kidney and perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is useful when radiological guidance is not available.