Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: advances in equipment and endoscopic techniques

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endourology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) success rates have improved.
• Advances in endoscopic equipment are key drivers of this improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe new lightweight nephroscopes for PCNL.
• To report the clinical application of electrohydraulic disintegration (EHD) and bipolar diathermy in intrarenal endoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized novel lightweight nephroscopes in conjunction with the Amplatz sheath.
• Employed electrohydraulic disintegration for stone fragmentation in 17 patients.
• Introduced bipolar diathermy for intrarenal endoscopic procedures.

Main Results:

• A 30% increase in PCNL success rates observed over two years.
• Successful treatment of 17 patients using electrohydraulic disintegration.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of bipolar diathermy for intrarenal endoscopy.

Conclusions:

• New endoscopic equipment, including lightweight nephroscopes, enhances PCNL outcomes.
• Electrohydraulic disintegration is presented as a preferred method over ultrasonic lithotripsy for most cases.
• Bipolar diathermy offers a novel approach for intrarenal endoscopic interventions.