Percutaneous lithotripsy of renal calculi

Percutaneous nephrostomy and stone removal was performed 240 times in 84 patients during a five-year period. Surgery was necessary in only two cases; hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion occurred in four. Perforation of the renal pelvis in five patients healed without sequelae. Final control of the nephrostomy was achieved in almost all cases. Indications and technical points regarding percutaneous lithotripsy are discussed.