Risk factors for the development of complications in the surgical treatment of urolithiasis

Abstract

The prevalence of urolithiasis in the adult population worldwide ranges from 2% to 20% depending on economic, geographical, ethnic, metabolic and genetic aspects. Modern technologies, improvement of medical equipment, and development of surgical methods expand the choice of methods for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi. However, an increase in treatment options for this pathology may be accompanied by a rise in the number of complications. The article presents an overview of the existing surgical methods for the urolithiasis treatment and complications risk factors. The “gold standard” for removing kidney stones larger than 2 cm in diameter is percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL). Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is recommended for stones less than 2 cm. The methods of choice for surgical treatment of urolithiasis are extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy. The choice of the method of surgical intervention depends on concomitant diseases, risk factors, as well as the size and location of the calculus.