Summary of 1289 percutaneous nephrolithotomy cases under ultrasonic guidance for the treatment of upper urinary calculi

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under ultrasonic guidance for the treatment of upper urinary calculus. Methods From June 2004 to July 2009, 1289 patients with upper urinary tract calculi were treated with PCNL under ultrasonic guidance, 386 cases of them were upper ureteral calculi, 463 cases were single renal calculi,355 cases were multiple renal caculi, 85 cases were staghorn calculi. Calculus size was 0.8 cm× 1.2cm-9.0 cm× 5.3 cm,mean 2. 1 cm× 3.1 cm. Nine hunderd and thirty-five cases were with hydronephrosis. Results All patients were performed PCNL successfully, without conversion to open surgery or death. Mean operation time was 90(55-220)min, mean operative blood loss was 175(60-800)ml. Thirty-one cases were given blood transfusion during operation or post operation, 14 cases were given super-selective renal artery embolism for bleeding control. 1105 cases were treated with single tract, 108 cases with double tracts, 76 cases with three tracts. Calculus clearance rate of onestage PCNL was 85.03%(1096/1289);193 cases were found with residual calculi, 67 of them were given extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, 126 of them were given two-stage PCNL, calculi were removed complelety in 85 cases. Total calculus clearance rate was 91.62%(1181/1289). Conclusions PCNL under ultrasonic guidance is an effective and safe method for the treatment of upper urinary calculus with advantages of accurate positioning, high calculus clearance rate, minimal trauma, and fewer complications. The key of successful PCNL is selection of patients, grasp of operation technique, and availability of other equipements. Key words: Nephrostomy,percutaneous; Lithotripsy; Ultrasonography; Urinary calculi