The effect of percutaneous nephrostomy implementation on the outcome of ureteroscopic stone treatment

We aimed to investigate the effect of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) implementation on the second ureteroscopy (URS) outcomes after a failed URS.

The data of four hundred forty-eight patients with an unsuccessful URS history were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups; patients who underwent PCN before second URS (Group A) and patients who did not (Group B). We compared the stone access rate in the second URS between the two groups according to patient and stone characteristics and operative data. Then, group A was subdivided into two groups according to stone access as; access succeeded (Group A1) and access failed (Group A2). We also compared stone access rates between these two groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index, stone size, side, location, grade of hydronephrosis and PCN duration.  All data were available immediately after surgery and obtained from patient files and the outcome assessment was performed during the study period.

Stone access rate was higher in group A than group B (143/196 vs 41/252, P = .0018). Mean nephrostomy duration and mean hydronephrosis grade were significantly higher and mean stone size was significantly lower in group A1 than group A2 (18.74 vs 9.62 days, P < .001; grade 3.25 vs 1.21, P = .038; and 7.286 vs 12.631 mm P < .001, respectively).

PCN is a favourable intervention after a failed URS and increases the success rate of the second operation with ease of implementation and minimal morbidity.