A case of micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with macro complication

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is accepted as the standard management approach for kidney stones that are either refractory to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or are >2 cm in diameter. The recently developed micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) technique provides intrarenal access under full vision using an optic instrument with a smaller calibration. A lesser amount of bleeding has been reported with the use of this method. Here we present a case of a bleeding complication on postoperative day 15 after a microperc procedure used to treat a left kidney stone. The complication led to retention of bloody urine in the bladder and required transfusion of 5 units of whole blood.