Long-term efficacy of combination therapy for struvite staghorn calculi

A total of 28 patients with extensive struvite staghorn calculi underwent endourological sandwich therapy consisting of primary percutaneous debulking followed by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) of residual stone fragments. Secondary percutaneous procedures, ESWL treatments and 10% hemiacidrin irrigations were used as necessary specifically to achieve a stone-free renal unit. With 12 to 55 months (mean 31 months) of followup, during which time regular surveillance was done and antibiotic prophylaxis was used routinely, renal function remained stable or improved in 93% of the patients, including 4 with a solitary kidney. Infection has recurred or persisted in 30% of the patients, while stones recurred in 22%. We conclude that an aggressive, combined endourological approach to the management of struvite staghorn calculi can achieve long-term results comparable to standard operative intervention.