Percutaneous endourologic procedures in high-risk patients in the lateral decubitus position under regional...

The prone position is the most commonly used position for percutaneous endourologic procedures. It is usually combined with a general anesthesia. In high-risk patients, this approach can lead to circulatory and respiratory compromises. Operating on such patients in a full lateral position will minimize the hemodynamic and respiratory risks and-if combined with spinal anesthesia-will allow for increased patient comfort and safety.

After rigorous preoperative assessment, 27 medical high-risk patients (12 men) with a mean age of 62 years and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3+ were included in this study. The majority (78%) had regional anesthesia and were fully awake and alert during the operation. The procedures consisted of an initial retrograde renal study/filling with contrast medium with the patient in the lithotomy position to aid kidney puncture. The percutaneous procedure was then performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position, and access was performed under fluoroscopic and/or ultrasonographic guidance.

Twenty-two percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNL), 3 anterograde endopyelotomies (AEP), 1 percutaneous resection of renal pelvic transitional-cell carcinoma, and 1 percutaneous renal cyst sclerotization were performed. After PCNL, 11 patients were stone free postoperatively, and a further 8 were stone free after adjuvant shockwave lithotripsy. Two patients needed temporary Double-J stents. One renal access failed. Two procedures were aborted because of hemorrhage. One patient died in the recovery room from uncontrollable renal bleeding. A renal scan after 3 months showed relief of obstruction in the three patients who had undergone AEP. Ultrasonography confirmed complete resolution of the sclerotized renal cyst. Neither of the patients with regional anesthesia needed conversion to general anesthesia. In two patients who experienced moderate pain, a "top-up" with local anesthesia solved the problem.

The full lateral position-while necessitating expertise and some learning for renal puncture from an unusual angle-is safe in medical high-risk patients. It can be safely performed using regional anesthesia, avoiding the risks of general anesthesia and allowing for patient-anesthetist communication throughout the procedure. Cardiac and respiratory parameters are improved, stable, and easily controlled. As opposed to the supine position, the awake patient is more comfortable, and morbid obesity is not a problem.