Management of Splenic Injury During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become the standard of care for the removal of kidney stones >2 cm. Major complications, although rare, are between 1% and 7%. Splenic injury during PCNL is rare and can often be managed conservatively, but has the potential to be devastating, necessitating the importance of early diagnosis. Our team describes two cases of splenic injury during PCNL with emphasis on diagnosis and management. Although both cases were managed conservatively through close monitoring and prolonged nephrostomy tube presence, one case had a concurrent pneumothorax. Both cases were diagnosed primarily through postprocedure CT imaging. Risk factors primarily include supracostal access and splenomegaly. Splenic injury is a rare complication that can often be managed conservatively; however, prompt recognition of injury is important. We present in this study two cases of conservative splenic injury management sustained during PCNL.