Percutaneous removal of caliceal calculi

Of 170 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, 61 had stones located in a calix. Direct access to the calix containing the calculus optimizes removal. Special maneuvers during and after percutaneous stone removal (e.g., parallel-tract push and loop snare retrieval system) facilitate removal of caliceal calculi from more difficult locations; 46% of patients with caliceal calculi required adjuvant radiologic techniques. Complete calculus removal was achieved in 90% of patients with caliceal calculi.