[Percutaneous ablation of renal calculi]

Percutaneous removal of renal calculi under nephroscopy was attempted in 34 patients. There were 19 pyelic, 9 caliceal, 3 uretero-pyelic and 3 multifocal calculi. The attempt was successful in 30 cases, the stones being removed by immediate lumbotomy in the 4 cases where it failed; 2 caliceal calculi remaining in situ are being followed up. Complete removal was effected in 19 patients. The smaller calculi were directly removed with special forceps, and the larger ones were either fragmented with a lithotriptor or disintegrated by ultrasounds or intracavitary shock waves. The postoperative period was uneventful. Stay in hospital was reduced to 4 days on average and absence from work, to 8 days. Five patients experienced renal colics due to migration of small fragments. One case of haemorrhage was easily controlled. Percutaneous removal of renal calculi is an elegant, though delicate method which seems to be of interest in persistent or recurrent pyelic or caliceal stones, in small or medium size pyelic stones and in mobile and painful caliceal stones. It undoubtedly has its place in the treatment of renal lithiasis.