Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Experience with renal and proximal ureteral calculi at Tygerberg Hospital

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN) enables the urologist to remove upper urinary tract stones through a percutaneous nephrostomy tract. The principal advantages of PCN are the low morbidity, shortened hospital stay and rapid recovery. Percutaneous puncture failed in 5 (11%) of the first 44 patients with upper tract urolithiasis treated by PCN at Tygerberg Hospital. In 35 patients (80%) PCN cleared the kidney of stones but in 4 patients (9%) all stone fragments were not removed during the procedure. If the puncture and dilatation was successful, then 90% of patients were stone-free after PCN. Complications were minimal except for a diabetic who died of septicaemia. PCN is an alternative to open renal surgery in the management of most upper urinary tract stones. The technique is readily mastered by any urologist experienced in endoscopic surgery.