Management of staghorn stones using a combination of lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and Solution R...

The treatment of staghorn and partial staghorn calculi remains complex despite modern methods of stone removal. We describe the results following treatment of 112 stones. Three methods were used: percutaneous nephrolithotomy, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and Solution R irrigation, either alone or in combination; 57 stones (55.8%) were completely cleared, with Solution R irrigation helping to achieve complete clearance in 6 of these. A further 24 stones were not completely cleared (small asymptomatic fragments less than 3 mm remained). A satisfactory outcome (stone-free or asymptomatic fragments less than 3 mm) was achieved in 81 stones (79%).