Retained foreign body post-PCNL: an unusual complication and endoscopic management

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Nephrolithiasis Treatment

Background:

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a standard procedure for large renal calculi.
• Known PCNL complications include bleeding, sepsis, and organ injury.
• Retained foreign bodies post-PCNL are infrequently reported.

Observation:

• A unique case of encrustation involving a retained guidewire sheath after PCNL.
• The retained sheath was initially misidentified as a residual stone on imaging.
• This highlights a rare but significant complication of PCNL.

Findings:

• Successful retrieval of the encrusted guidewire sheath.
• Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) was employed for the removal.
• Demonstrates the efficacy of RIRS in managing retained foreign bodies.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering retained foreign bodies in post-PCNL imaging.
• Suggests RIRS as a viable treatment option for such rare complications.
• Contributes to the understanding of uncommon urolithiasis treatment sequelae.