Tubeless PCNL with patient in supine position: procedure for all seasons?--with comprehensive technique

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has historically been performed with the patient in the prone position, which has inherent drawbacks. Supine PCNL has numerous benefits in terms of safety, efficacy, and versatility and is comparable with respect to vascular and bowel injury. This study was intended to prove that PCNL with the patient in the supine position is an alternative method of doing PCNL along with comprehensive technique.

A total of 184 patients with 191 renal units underwent tubeless supine PCNL from 2005 to May 2007. Their mean age was 32 years and mean weight 62 kg. After insertion of a retrograde 5F ureteral catheter, the patient was placed in the supine position with a small towel roll under the ipsilateral flank, raising it by 20 degrees. Caliceal entry was achieved with an 18-gauge spinal needle, and the tract was dilated up to 27F with Alkans dilators over a 0.032-in. guidewire using fluoroscope only, with the patient under general anesthesia.

Primary stone clearance was achieved in 84% patients. Of the 184 patients, 94% had a single and 6% had a double tract; 72% of patients had a lower, 25% a middle, and 3% an upper caliceal puncture. The mean single stone size was 3.5 cm, and the mean multiple stone burden was 12 cm. No vascular or splanchnic injury or bowel transgression was observed. Tubeless PCNL was possible in 87% patients; 4% patients required transfusion, and 1 patient each had a perinephric collection and a plural effusion.

Tubeless PCNL with the patient in the supine position is an independent method of treating renal stones without complementing PCNL in the prone position. It adds ease and comfort to the patient, anesthesiologist, and surgeon.