[Percutaneous surgery for lithiasis: results and perspectives. Apropos of 390 operations]

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has radically changed the treatment of renal stones. The indications for this technique have been modified by the development and refinement of extracorporeal lithotripsy (ECL). The authors present their experience of 390 PCNL performed between 1984 and 1991, for solitary stones in 75% of cases. There were only 11 cases of failed puncture (3.8%). The overall morbidity was 18% with only 4.4% of major complications, i.e. life threatening or requiring reoperation. There were two deaths (0.5%). Stones were completely eliminated in 80.25% of patients, after a second operation (PCNL or other technique) in 32 cases (11%). 45 staghorn calculi were treated with 11% of complications and a 51% complete cure rate. The mean hospital stay was 6 days (2 to 30). PCNL is a safe and reliable technique. Its indications have decreased (6.5% of our patients treated for renal stones), but it still retains a place in the therapeutic approach to patients with renal stones.