Percutaneous litholapaxy. Indications and limitations of the technique in complex nephrolithiasis

In the present study, the authors analyze the radical change in the treatment of complex renal lithiasis. They advocate the use of this combined approach in patients with a large stone mass or those with obstructive problems of the urinary tract. They discuss the contraindications of this technique; i.e., pelvic kidney, septic urinary infections and severe cardiopulmonary disease. From 1983 to June 1988, a total of 5,657 stone patients were treated at their department; 921 were treated by PCNL combined with ESWL. In 92% of the cases, PCNL was successful in removing most of the stone mass. The complications encountered were fever, hemorrhage, colon perforation, stenosis of UPJ post-PCNL and intrathoracic extravasation. Nephrectomy was warranted in 2 cases due to complication.