Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: spinal cord injury vs. ambulatory patients

One hundred patients, 35 with spinal cord injury (SCI) and 65 who were ambulatory, underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Success of complete stone excision, operative morbidity and mortality were compared in the two patient populations. Stone size and complexity were evaluated by X-ray and a single-stage PNL was done using general anesthesia, bi-planar C-arm fluoroscopy, Amplatz renofascial dilators, and two guide wires. Eleven percent of the patients had previously-placed percutaneous nephrostomy tubes for hydronephrosis and/or pyonephrosis. In the ambulatory group, 98.5% (64/65) were stone-free after the procedure as compared to 85.7% (31/35) in the SCI group. The success rate in those patients who followed postoperative instructions exceeded 96% in both groups of patients. One operative mortality, related to infectious complications, occurred in the SCI group. Major morbidity in the SCI population consisted of three perirenal abscesses, a hydrothorax, an aspiration pneumonia, a respiratory arrest and a nephro-colonic fistula for a rate of 20% (7/35), or 7% of all patients. One major complication, a nephroduodenal fistula, occurred in the ambulatory population. Four patients, three of whom were SCI, required open surgery related to infectious complications. Other significant complications consisted of hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and fever (101.5 degrees F). Minor complications included dislodged nephrostomy tubes, retained stones, and ureteral edema causing obstruction. These complications were three times more common in the SCI population. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an effective surgical means for stone removal for SCI and ambulatory patients. The SCI patient has a high incidence of infectious complications causing increased morbidity and mortality.