Practice patterns in the treatment of large renal stones

To determine the current practice patterns of a large group of urologists in the treatment of large renal stones.

A survey was sent to all actively practicing members of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association. The questions pertained to age, time in practice, type of practice, time devoted to treating stones, residency training, case scenarios with treatment options, and whether they or a radiologist performed percutaneous access. The data were statistically analyzed.

The response rate was 51% (564/1102 surveys returned). Three quarters (73%) of the urologists were comfortable performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and 35% gave reasons they do not perform PCNL. Only 11% of those performing PCNL routinely obtained the percutaneous access themselves. Trends in the analysis included: (1) those trained to perform PCNL during residency were more often comfortable with this procedure; (2) younger urologists were more comfortable performing PCNL, even if they had been in practice for only a short time; (3) urologists in private practice were nearly as comfortable performing PCNL as were academic urologists; (4) urologists not comfortable with PCNL more often recommended SWL over PCNL as a primary treatment for moderate/large renal stones; and (5) few urologists routinely obtained percutaneous access themselves.

Many urologists trained in recent years are comfortable performing PCNL. The type of training received influences treatment recommendations, and percutaneous access is most often obtained by/in conjunction with radiologists. This information may be useful in guiding residency training programs in the preparation of residents for the treatment of large renal stones.