Puncture In Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Research Articles

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy 500 Cases in High-Risk and Altered Renal Function Test: Our Experience at Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction The study aims to evaluate the results of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in high-risk patients and patients with altered renal function tests (RFT) and complications in the management of renal stones in our hospital. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 500 patients who underwent PCNL between September 2020 and September 2023. We have analyzed data regarding patient details, investigations, PCNL puncture site, operative duration, number of punctures, stone-free rates (SFRs), duration of hospital stay, and complications. Results Out of 500 patients, 384 (76.87%) were males and 116 (23.13%) were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.32:1. The average age was 40.8±10.4 (mean±SD) (range: 24 to 74-years). The average operative time was 127±37 min (mean±standard deviation (SD)). The radiation exposure was from 1 min 30 sec to 3 min, with a mean (±SD) of 30 sec. The mean duration of the hospital stay was 2.7±1.6 days. Complete stone clearance was 87%, whereas SFRs defined by no identifiable stone on a plain radiograph or ultrasound or residual fragments <5 mm were 90.93%. The complication rate was 2.2%. Conclusion The usual course of treatment for renal stones larger than 2 cm is PCNL. Significant factors influencing the stone-free rate include stone burden, stone type, PCNL puncture, number of punctures, and operative time. With the development of several lithotripsy procedures and the miniaturization of instruments, PCNL continues to be an excellent therapeutic option for patients with large renal stones, comorbidities, and changed RFT, with tolerable rates of complications.

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)-Based Guy’s Stone Score (GSS) Utility for Prediction of Outcomes of Upper Pole Access Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Background: Renal stone disease is a very common disease, and its lifetime prevalence is 1 - 15%, with a gradual rise in incidence and disease prevalence. There are significant financial implications of its management. Nowadays, for big (typically > 2 cm) renal and upper ureteric stones, PCNL is widely regarded as the first-line treatment. Because most of the intrarenal collecting systems can be accessed by superior calyceal puncture in PCNL, good stone clearance can be achieved. The “Guy’s Stone Score” is a useful technique for categorizing the complexity of PCNL. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of Guys Stone Score based on KUB and intravenous urography to predict the success rate, grading, and complexity of PCNL, which are performed via the upper pole access. Methods: The present prospective, non-randomized observational study was undertaken in the Department of Urology and Renal transplantation, SCBMCH, Cuttack, from 1st November 2017 to 31st October 2019. A total of 104 patients were enrolled in the study in whom PCNL was performed through superior calyceal puncture, based on preoperative intravenous pyelogram. The Guy's Stone Score was calculated, and the complexity of the procedure was graded using radiological studies, then the outcome was determined accordingly. Results: In this study, 59.6% of the patients had immediate success among them 29.0% had grade 3, and 6.5% had grade 4 GSS. Moreover, 38.4% of the patients had clinically significant residual fragments among them, 75.0% had grade 4, and 20.0% had grade 3 GSS.23% of the patients underwent REDO-PCNL and 11.5% of the patients underwent accesory/ancillary procedure of ESWL. Conclusions: The present study shows that an intravenous pyelogram-based Guy’s Stone Score (GSS) is an easy-to-use tool in predicting the early success rate and potential difficulties and complications in PCNL performed through superior calyceal puncture.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy - the puncture.

To determine what importance is given to the puncture and assistive technologies in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in the current urological literature. PubMed was searched for English publications and reviews for the keywords: 'percutaneous nephrolithotomy', 'percutaneous nephrostomy', 'puncture'. The search was limited to the last 5 years, January 2016 until February 2021. Based on 183 abstracts, 121 publications were selected, read, and reviewed. References, older or seminal papers were read and cited if they contributed to a better understanding. A total of 198 references form the basis of this narrative review. The puncture is frequently referred to as the most crucial part of PNL. In contrast, the influence of the puncture on the failure rate of PNL and the specific puncture-related complications seems to be low in the single-digit percentage range. However, there are no universally accepted definitions and standards measuring the quality of puncture. Consequently, the impact of the puncture on general PNL complications, on stone scores predicting success rates and on learning curves evaluating surgeons' performance have not been systematically studied. Assistive technologies rely on fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, the latter of which is becoming the preferred imaging modality for monitoring the entire procedure. Needle bending, a problem relevant to all puncture techniques, is not addressed in the urological literature. The importance attached to puncture in PNL in the current urological literature is subjectively high but objectively low. Some basics of puncture are not well understood in urology. Disciplines other than urology are more actively involved in the development of puncture techniques.

Optically Tracked Needle for Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Puncture: A Preliminary Report.

Background and Aim: Precise needle puncture of the renal collecting system is an essential step for effective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The use of ultrasound for puncture is receiving increased attention. Ultrasound has recognized limitations related to poor observation of the needle tip. We aimed to assess whether an affordable open-source computerized needle navigation training system, using optically tracked ultrasonography, could improve performance of simulated PCNL puncture by urologic trainees, compared with conventional free hand manual sonographic puncture. Materials and Methods: This study describes a PCNL navigation system that can be recreated with any standard ultrasound machine using relatively inexpensive components. The system allows the needle tip to be precisely appreciated in the ultrasound image, its trajectory planned, and the appreciation of needle tip to target calix proximity sound effect. Eight participants (six trainees and two qualified urologists) assessed the PCNL training model. Alternating starting with freehand (control) and tracked needle (experimental) punctures were performed on a phantom kidney. Total procedure and the number of reinsertions required were recorded. Results: The mean time for freehand puncture was 89 seconds (range 13-173), whereas that of the optically tracked needle was 36 seconds (range 12-72). Thus, puncture time was significantly reduced by an average of 53 seconds (p = 0.045) in the experimental arm. The mean number of needle reinsertions was 3.3 with freehand compared with 1.3 in the optically tracked puncture (p = 0.005). The mean square root error of the optical tracking system was 1.8 mm (four calibrations averaged). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that affordable hardware and open-source software can be used to construct an optically tracked ultrasound navigation system for PCNL training. Statistically significant reduced puncture time and number of passes required for effective puncture are demonstrated. We feel that computerized needle tracking during PCNL puncture deserves further evaluation in a training and, potentially, in a clinical setting.

Incidence of posterolateral and retrorenal colon in supine and prone position in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Colon injury is a distressing complication during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Posterolateral colon (PLC) and retrorenal colon (RRC) are known to be the risk factors of colonic injury during PCNL. We evaluated the incidence of PLC and RRC in both supine and prone position of patients who underwent PCNL in our institution, and determined the risk factors of PLC and RRC through a review of computed tomography (CT) scan. To define PLC and RRC, we divided kidney into anterior, anterolateral, posterolateral and retrorenal zone by drawing three parallel lines in the CT scan. Among a total of 102 patients, PLC and RRC were identified in 16 (15.7%) cases in supine, and 25 (24.5%) cases in the prone position. PLC and RRC were most frequently present in the upper and lower pole of the left kidney in prone position compared to supine (p value less than 0.001). Risk factors of PLC and RRC in the prone position were old age (over 68), lower body mass index (BMI), and thinner perirenal fat layer. Therefore, an initial percutaneous puncture in PCNL needs to be carefully accessed to those patients with such high risks of colon injury.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy with ultrasound-assisted puncture: does the technique reduce dependence on fluoroscopic ionizing radiation?

The ultrasound-guided (US) puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has demonstrated advantages over traditional fluoroscopy access. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the reduction of fluoroscopy time using this technique during PCNL as the surgeon gained experience. Transversal study performed on 30 consecutive patients undergoing PCNL from March to November 2019. All punctures were performed with US guidance. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 each according to the chronological order of the intervention. Demographic data, preoperative parameters, puncture time, fluoroscopy time, stone-free rate and complications were analyzed. The time of fluoroscopy was considerably reduced as the experience in the number of cases increased, reducing from 83.09 ± 47.8s in group 1 to 22.8 ± 10.3s in group 2 (p < 0.01), the time required to perform the puncture was reduced of 108.1 ± 68.9s in group 1, to 92.6 ± 94.7s in group 2 (p < 0.67). Stone free rate of 83.3% was obtained globally. US percutaneous renal access is safe and reproducible technique; the main advantage is to reduce exposure to radiation without compromising clinical results and has a short learning curve for urologists with prior experience in PCNL.

Application of simulated puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of simulated puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of complex kidney stones. A total of 120 patients with complex kidney stones who were treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in our hospital between March 2017 and March 2020 were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into two groups: the research group and the control group (n = 60 in each). Each subject underwent a dual-source computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis and both kidneys before the operation. The research team imported the CT data into Mimics19 software to create a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the skin, bones, kidneys, collecting system, and stones. Based on the 3D reconstruction model, the target renal calyx to be punctured was determined, the best puncture channel was designed, and puncture was simulated. Data regarding the simulated puncture were imported into 3-Matics11 software; the angle and depth of the puncture were measured, and then these data were used to guide percutaneous nephrolithotomy. 3D reconstruction and simulated puncture were not undertaken for the patients in the control group before the operation. The effects of treatment in the two groups were compared. First-stage percutaneous nephrolithotomy was successfully completed in both groups of patients. The outcome was better in the research group than in the control group in terms of operation time, number of punctures required for successful establishment of a percutaneous renal channel, number of percutaneous kidney puncture channels, and intraoperative blood loss, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05 for all). The stone clearance rate was higher in the research group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.471). The incidence of penetrating kidney injury was lower in the research group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.154). For patients due to undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of complex kidney stones, preoperative simulated puncture helps to improve the puncture accuracy and to reduce the number of punctures required for successful establishment of a percutaneous renal channel, the number of puncture channels, the operation time, and the blood loss, and therefore it is worth promoting.

SabreSource™: a novel percutaneous nephrolithotomy apparatus to aid collecting system puncture - a preliminary report

Successful percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) relies on a technically challenging, precise needle puncture of the renal collecting system. We aimed to compare, in an ex vivo model, the use of a real time image guidance system (the SabreSource™) and a mechanical stabilising device with conventional manual techniques for the accuracy of needle placement. The SabreSource™ system (Minrad International Inc.; New York, USA) is a real time image guidance system. The system platform is mounted on a C-arm fluoroscope. It employs targeting cross hairs on the fluoroscopic image that can be easily positioned to target the desired renal calyx. The system directs a visible laser beam onto the patient which is precisely aligned with the cross hairs on the fluoroscopic image. This provides the correct "bull's-eye" angle of approach to the calyx, even after the x-ray source is turned off. The locator then stabilises the needle in the "bull's-eye" position so that only screening for depth is required. Objective assessment using a simulated PCNL puncture was performed by 7 urologic trainees on a kidney phantom with and without using the SabreSource™. Fluoroscopy screening time (FST) and amount of radiation (mGy) used to achieve successful puncture were compared. Simulated PCNL puncture was quicker and resulted in reduced radiation exposure when the apparatus was used. The mean FST for traditional "bull's-eye" vs SabreSource™ puncture was 17 vs 5 seconds (p = 0.01), and the mean radiation exposure to puncture was 0.7 vs 0.2 mGy (p = 0.03), respectively. The SabreSource™ is a novel assistant to achieving successful PCNL puncture. In combination with "the locator" the preliminary in vitro testing suggests that the device reduces fluoroscopy exposure and is quicker. The device warrants further evaluation in the clinical setting.

Safety of Upper Pole Puncture in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with the Guidance of Ultrasonography versus Fluoroscopy: A Comparative Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the safety of ultrasonography-guided (UG) puncture and fluoroscopy-guided (FG) upper pole access (UPA) in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods: Consecutive patients with a solitary UPA were enrolled into the study from 2012 to 2020 and analyzed in a retrospective manner. In total, 177 patients were divided into 2 groups according to the method during the puncture phase of the access: FG (n = 105) and UG (n = 72). The UG and FG groups were compared in terms of complications (i.e., pleural injury and blood transfusion rate) and surgical outcomes. Results: Gender, side, grade of hydronephrosis, type of access (i.e., supracostal vs. subcostal), Guy’s stone score, age, stone diameter, skin-to-stone distance, and stone density were similar in the 2 groups (p > 0.05). Only in 25.9% of cases, UPA was done using a subcostal approach. The overall complication rates were similar between the groups (p > 0.178). For the UG and FG groups, the rate of pleural injury (8.5 vs. 4.1%) and the blood transfusion rate (8.5 vs. 2.8%) were also similar (p > 0.05). The fluoroscopy time and mean hemoglobin drop were significantly lower in the UG group than in the FG group (134.2 vs. 82.2 s, respectively, p = 0.001; 20.8 ± 9.8 vs. 16.8 ± 7.9 g/L, respectively, p = 0.001). Stone-free rate (SFR) was also similar in the FG and UG groups (77.1 vs. 75.0%, respectively, p = 0.742). Conclusion: While it is commonly expected that the complication rates are lower in UG puncture for UPA in PCNL than they are in FG puncture, the present study failed to show this difference. However, the radiation exposure time seemed to be lower in UG puncture than FG puncture and had a similar stone-free rate (SFR) for UPA in PCNL.

A Prospective Study of Stone Clearance, Morbidity and Complications of Supracostal Puncture in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

A Prospective Study of Stone Clearance, Morbidity and Complications of Supracostal Puncture in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Reaearch situation and progress of Visual Puncture in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

经皮肾镜取石术是目前治疗直径大于2 cm的肾和输尿管上段结石和复杂肾结石的首选手术方式，但是由于其复杂的操作程序和较高并发症发生率让许多泌尿外科医师望而却步。可视化穿刺系统在经皮肾镜取石术中的应用很大程度地降低了经皮肾镜取石术的难度，现对可视化穿刺系统在经皮肾镜取石术中应用的历史、现状和未来发展方向作一综述。

The Anatomic Structure of a Fused Renal Pyramid and Its Clinical Significance in the Establishment of Percutaneous Renal Access

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance of the fused renal pyramid (FRP) in establishing percutaneous renal access, and the anatomic basis for avoiding vascular injury caused by puncturing through this renal pyramid with the aim of achieving accurate puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Materials and MethodsSixty-two cadaveric kidneys and 105 porcine kidneys were selected for the assessment of regional anatomy, to explore the anatomic structure of the FRP and determine its frequency. Then, we compared the effects of 4 different puncture paths on the occurrence of renal vascular injury when respectively punctured through the normal renal pyramid (group A), the centerline of one side pyramid of the FRP (group B), the center of the entire FRP (group C) and the renal column (group D). ResultsThe incidence of FRP in human kidneys is not low. The artery in the kidney can be divided into 6 grades. The grade IV branch-interlobar artery courses through the FRP. There was significant difference in the degree of arterial injury between the group A and C (P = .003), while no significant difference between the group A and B (P = .151). There was significant difference in the proportion of interlolar artery injury between group A and C (P <.001), while no significant difference between group A and B (P = .239). ConclusionIt is necessary to carefully identify and bypass the FRP when establishing a percutaneous renal access. If unavoidable, the puncture path should be on the centerline of one side pyramid of the FRP.

36] Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for better percutaneous nephrolithotomy puncture

ObjectiveTo assess the efficiency of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US) for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) puncture, as in recent years US contrast agents (microbubbles) have been used safely for cardiovascular and liver diseases diagnosis, and also to identify complex renal cysts, thus could be used to better delineate the pyelocalyceal system during PCNL puncture and reduce the radiation exposure for medical staff and patients.

Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Using Newly Developed Wireless Portable Ultrasound: A Single-Center Experience.

To assess the feasibility and utility of a newly developed wireless portable ultrasound "UProbe- 2" for puncture guidance in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The UProbe-2 consists of a probe with integrated ultrasound circuit boards inside, an intelligent terminal that installed specific ultrasound software, and a puncture trestle. The probe can connect to an intelligent terminal via WI-FI. It was used to guide puncture in PCNL in 31 patients who suffered kidney stones or large impacted proximal upper ureteral stones with hydronephrosis from June 2016 to July 2017. Patients' characteristics as well as parameters during operation were collected. PCNL was successfully performed in all patients with the guidance of the UProbe-2. The mean (standard deviation) puncture time was 3.6 (0.9) minutes, and the median operative duration was 50 (35-80) minutes. The primary stone clearance rate was 87% (27/31). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The UProbe-2 ultrasound is safe and effective for puncture guidance during PCNL according to this initial study. It could provide a new and alternative choice for guidance of PCNL. However, more clinical trials especially randomized controlled trials should be performed.

119 - Percutaneous nephrolithotomy puncture and tract dilation: Evidence on the safety of approaches to the infundibulum of the calyx

119 - Percutaneous nephrolithotomy puncture and tract dilation: Evidence on the safety of approaches to the infundibulum of the calyx

104 - Papillary versus non papillary puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective randomized trial

104 - Papillary versus non papillary puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective randomized trial

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Puncture and Tract Dilation: Evidence on the Safety of Approaches to the Infundibulum of the Middle Renal Calyx

To investigate the anatomical relations of the papillary, infundibular, and pelvic approach to percutaneous nephrolithotomy and evaluate the amount of vascularization at the respective sites. 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) renal scintigraphies or computed tomography perfusion (CTP) was performed in 40 patients (prone n = 20 or supine position n = 20). The angle of approach (AoA) for access tracts and the respective regions of interest to the mid-calyceal papilla and infundibulum as well as renal pelvis were designed and compared. The design of access tracts aiming to the renal pelvis, papilla, and infundibulum of the renal calyx was impossible for the nondilated collecting systems as all these tracts were in close vicinity. In both SPECT/CT and CTP, there was no statistical difference between the AoA for infundibular or pelvic access in comparison with the papillary puncture in either prone or supine position regardless of the degree of dilation of the system. The comparison of the measurements in the regions of interest showed that there was no difference in blood supply between the infundibular and pelvic access in comparison with the papillary approach in both positions regardless of the degree of collecting system dilation. The use of SPECT/CT and CTP showed that the punctures to the mid-calyceal renal papilla-fornix and infundibulum as well as the renal pelvis at the same level have similar AoA. The sites of the parenchyma involved in the tract dilation of the respective approaches are not related to significant differences in terms of vascularization.

European Section of Urotechnology educational video on fluoroscopic‐guided puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: all techniques step by step

To describe the most common fluoroscopic-guided access techniques during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a step-by-step manner and to assist in the standardisation of their technique and terminology. A high-quality animation video was created for each of the respective fluoroscopic techniques, focusing into the parallel projection of external surgical manoeuvres and their effect in the three-dimensional space of the kidney. Four predominant fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous access techniques are available, each with different advantages and limitations. Monoplanar access is used when a stable single-axis fluoroscopic generator is available and is mostly based on surgeons' experience. Biplanar access uses a second fluoroscopy axis to assess puncture depth. The 'bull's eye' technique follows a coaxial to fluoroscopy puncture path and is associated with a shorter learning curve at the cost of increased hand radiation exposure. Hybrid and conventional triangulate techniques use target projection by two fluoroscopic planes to define the exact localisation of the target in space and access it through a third puncture site. Fluoroscopic guidance during PCNL puncture is a very efficient method for access establishment. The percutaneous surgeon should be familiar with all available variations of fluoroscopic approach in order to be prepared to adapt puncture technique for any given scenario.

551 - Papillary versus non papillary puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective randomized trial

551 - Papillary versus non papillary puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective randomized trial

Mini access guide to simplify calyceal access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A novel device.

Introduction:A precise puncture of the renal collecting system is the most essential step for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). There are many techniques describing this crucial first step in PCNL including the bull's eye technique, triangulation technique, free-hand technique, and gradual descensus technique. We describe a novel puncture guide to assist accurate percutaneous needle placement during bull's eye technique.Methods:The mini access guide (MAG) stabilizes the initial puncture needle by mounting it on an adjustable multidirectional carrier fixed to the patient's skin, which aids in achieving the “bull's eye” puncture. It also avoids a direct fluoroscopic exposure of the urologist's hand during the puncture. Sixty consecutive patients with solitary renal calculus were randomized to traditional hand versus MAG puncture during bull's eye technique of puncture and the fluoroscopy time was assessed.Results:The median fluoroscopy screening time for traditional free-hand bull's eye and MAG-guided bull's eye puncture (fluoroscopic screening time for puncture) was 55 versus 21 s (P = 0.001) and the median time to puncture was 80 versus 55 s (P = 0.052), respectively. Novice residents also learned puncture technique faster with MAG on simulator.Conclusion:The MAG is a simple, portable, cheap, and novel assistant to achieve successful PCNL puncture. It would be of great help for novices to establish access during their learning phase of PCNL. It would also be an asset toward significantly decreasing the radiation dose during PCNL access.