Management of the staghorn calculus: multiple-tract versus single-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Complete removal of stones is crucial for preventing recurrence and morbidity. Currently percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the preferred treatment modality. The debate continues over the use of single tract versus multiple tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We review papers on the topic published over the past 12-24 months.

Articles related to single and multiple tracts were reviewed. We discuss the morbidities, advantages and disadvantages of both the approaches. To decrease the number of tracts few authors have shown the efficacy of flexible ureteroscopy and nephroscopy as an adjuvant procedure. The authors state that this option effectively decreases the disadvantages of multiple tracts, namely blood loss complications, without compromising on stone free rates.

Several techniques have been described for percutaneous access and stone removal, all of them associated with inherent problems. Although feasible, access to all the calices will be difficult through one percutaneous tract because of the peculiarities of the renal collecting system, in which case, multiple-access percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the mainstay of the treatment. The crucial point to understand is that all cases should be dealt with on an individual basis.