[Single procedure treatment of complex nephrolithiasis: about a modern series of anatrophic nephrolithotomy]

Advances in endourology have significantly reduced indications of open surgery in the treatment of staghorn calculi. However, in our experience, open surgery is still the treatment of choice in some cases. This study presents the results of a series of selected patients and discusses the results in terms of efficacy and morbidity.

A cohort of 26 patients underwent anatrophic nephrolithotomy by lombotomy to treat a complex staghorn calculus.

The mean stone size was 68,5mm, 70% were complete staghorn calculi. The operative time was 100minutes. Blood loss was 225mL, with a postoperative transfusion rate of 15.4%. The hospital stay was 8.4 days. The stone free rate following the procedure was 92%. The creatinine clearance (MDRD) at 3 months was improved from 5.9mL/min/m(2) on average over the entire series.

There are clearly still indications for open surgery in staghorn stones management, with good results in this contemporary series on both stone removal and nephronic preservation. Yet, it appears that this technique is no longer taught.

5.