Outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Renal stone management is a significant clinical challenge.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an established minimally invasive procedure for kidney stone removal.
• Evaluating the efficacy and safety of PCNL is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the implementation and outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
• To identify factors influencing the efficacy and safety of PCNL in renal stone management.
• To report the success rates and complication profile of PCNL.

Main Methods:

• A case series study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.
• Patients aged over 12 years with specific stone criteria (e.g., size > 2 cm, ESWL failure) were included.
• Postoperative radiography assessed stone clearance, with nephrostomy tube management for residual stones.

Main Results:

• PCNL was performed on 175 patients (62.86% male, mean age 35 ± 9.56 years).
• A total of 80.57% of patients were stone-free during the same admission, with 13.71% requiring a second procedure.
• Complications included bleeding (8.57%), transient fever (55.43%), and urinary leakage (8.57%), with a low rate of major complications (e.g., colonic injury 0.57%, nephrectomy 0.57%).

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) demonstrates a high success rate in renal stone management.
• The procedure is associated with minimal blood loss and a low incidence of major complications.
• PCNL is a safe and effective option for selected patients with complex renal calculi.