Residual postoperative upper urinary tract stone

Of 175 patients operated on from 1925 to 1955 for upper urinary tract stones, in whom immediate postoperative x-rays were available for study, there were 38 instances of false recurrence (22 percent). Subsequent review of the x-rays in a further 130 patients showed no residual stones and no stone had passed during the intervening period. This finding adjusted the rate of 12.5 per cent (38 instances in a series of 305 patients). The incidence of residual stones afer nephrolithotomy was 30 per cent. Factors responsible for a continuing high incidence of residual stones are discussed, along with important radiographic and surgical adjuvant techniques in their prevention. Proper use of these techniques should reduce the incidence of false recurrence to less than 10 per cent. Accurate intraoperative localization of the stones is of paramount importance.