[Percutaneous removal of renal and ureteral calculi in 104 patients]

One hundred and four consecutive patients with renal and/or ureteral calculi, 66 males and 38 females with an average age of 44.3 years ranging from 17 to 83, were treated by a percutaneous procedure between September, 1984 and October, 1987. In an early series of 6 patients, a two-stage procedure consisting of temporary renal drainage and the introduction of an endoscope a few days later was employed. The remaining 98 patients received a so-called one-stage procedure. The stone was removed successfully in 96 patients with an average operation time of 140 minutes. In 2 of the 96 patients, renal stones recurred 7 months and 20 months later. The most common cause for failure in stone removal was the difficulty of engaging calyceal stones and ureteral stones using a basket and/or 3-prong grasper, because of inflammatory mucosa adhering to the stones. Out of 8 failures, 7 and 1 required an open operation and trans-urethral intervention, respectively. There were 40 complications in 33 patients. Of 11 patients in whom renal pelvic perforation occurred, 2 required open surgical repair. Of 5 patients complaining of renal bleeding, 1 required renal artery embolization. With increasing experience and improving procedure, most renal, and upper and mid ureteral stones have been safely and successfully removed percutaneously.