Calcutta position: A new modified supine decubitus for supine PCNL

PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotripsy) is considered the gold standard treatment for renal stone more than 2 cm. In today's scenario, supine PCNL is considered equally effective as prone PCNL. The ideal position for supine PCNL is still debatable. We hereby describe our initial experiences of supine PCNL in a novel position.

This prospective study includes 60 patients who underwent supine PCNL in the 'Calcutta position' in our institute from August 2021 to August 2022. Successful procedure was defined as a complete stone free rate or a clinically insignificant residual stone (<4 mm).

Average Operative room (OR) occupancy time was 130.9 ± 19.63 min. The immediate stone free rate was 84.2%, 71.4% and 37.5% for single, multiple and staghorn calculus respectively. Complications include fever, requirement of blood transfusions and renal colic. The average hospital stay was 83.6 ± 17.42 h. Eight patients (13.3%) required secondary procedures like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or relook PCNL. At 3 months average stone free rates were 92%, 85%, 75% for single, multiple and staghorn calculus respectively. We performed supine PCNL in Calcutta position in obese, kyphoscoliosis, poliomyelitis, autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), malrotated kidney and diverticular stone with comparable success.

Supine PCNL in Calcutta position is a safe and effective option for nephrolithiasis management. Apart from the inherent advantages of supine PCNL it also has the advantages of better C-Arm and nephroscope manoeuvrability. Supine PCNL in Calcutta position was performed in a variety of scenarios with comparable results.