Injury to Biliary Tract During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Minimally Invasive Management of a Dreadful Complication

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an effective minimally invasive surgical modality for the management of renal calculi. It is generally considered safe with commonly encountered complications being urinary extravasation, fever, and bleeding. Injury to the biliary tract or puncture of the gallbladder is an extremely rare but a grave complication of PCNL. We present a case of a 70-year-old man who underwent PCNL for an obstructing right renal pelvic calculus. Upon middle caliceal puncture to access the pelvicaliceal system, an unexpected green aspirate suggestive of bile was noted egressing through the puncture needle when stiletto was detached. The needle was swiftly withdrawn and percutaneous renal access was effective on the second puncture to complete the procedure. In the postoperative period, biliary ascites was confirmed on imaging, which was managed in a minimally invasive manner with an ultrasonography-guided abdominal drain insertion. The patient recovered well and was discharged home. Biliary ascites with or without peritonitis is a rare but potentially fatal consequence of biliary tract injury that can occur during PCNL. If there is recognition of biliary aspirate during a percutaneous renal procedure, aggressive management, including diverting the biliary fluid in appropriately selected cases, can obviate the need for emergent open or laparoscopic surgical intervention as highlighted in our case.