Experimental study of marginal wedge resection and its practical application in the surgical therapy of staghorn...

A surgical procedure for staghorn calculi, which are inaccessible to conservative therapy, is described. It not only provides for complete elimination of the calculus but may also contribute to the prevention of recurrences. The technique of marginal wedge excision of the renal parenchyma, developed in animal studies, is described in detail and 11 surgical cases are reported. Removal of staghorn calculi was successful all throughout, and renal function remained unaffected by the intervention in all of the cases. Recurrences were confined to a single case. The procedure is safe, it involves no greater surgical strain than does marginal nephrotomy, but its short-term metaphylactic results seem more promising. Assessment of the long-term results awaits further observations.