Series Of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Research Articles

Intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications after ureteroscopy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a systematic review.

Retrograde ureteroscopy (URS), intra-renal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) represent routine interventions for the treatment of ureteral and renal stones, although at times associated with serious adverse events. Of note, the evidence on perioperative complications after these procedures remains sparse and controversial. Moreover, there is a lack of standardized reporting of adverse events using uniform systems. The aim of the present study was to systematically review of the available evidence on URS/RIRS and PCNL for the surgical treatment of urinary stone, assessing the incidence of intra- and postoperative events, classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo scale. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA recommendations and was conducted on intra- and postoperative complications, as well as on their management, following URS, RIRS and PCNL procedures, particularly focusing on major events. Overall, 26 studies (13 on URS/RIRS and 11 on PCNL) met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. The highest intraoperative complication rate was 11.5% and 8.5% for RIRS and PCNL, respectively. Major complication rate following URS/RIRS and PCNL ranged between 0.3-31.7% and 2-17.1%, respectively. The most frequent adverse events were obstructive pyelonephritis or urinary leakage requiring the placement of a double J stent or a drainage. Among PCNLs series, life-threatening adverse events have also been reported, including bleeding requiring renal angioembolization and urothorax. Despite the inclusion of series using a standardized reporting system, the complication rate after URS/RIRS/PCNL remains extensively heterogeneous in the literature; in addition, a non-negligible proportion of studies did not characterize the adverse events nor report the actual management strategy to solve them. Future research is needed to standardize the classification and reporting of surgical complications after endourological procedures (taking into consideration the surgeon's experience and skills), aiming to improve patient counseling and potentially the strategy for their prevention.

Surgical outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 3402 patients and results of stone analysis in 1559 patients.

To report our experience of a series of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures in a single centre over 18years in terms of patient and stone characteristics, indications, stone clearance and complications, along with the results of chemical analysis of stones in a subgroup. We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of PCNL in 3402 patients, who underwent the procedure between 1997 and 2014, obtained from a prospectively maintained database. Data analysis included patients' age and sex, laboratory investigations, imaging, punctured calyx, duration of operation, volume of irrigation fluid, radiation exposure time, blood transfusion, complications and stone-free status at 1-month follow-up. For the present analysis, outcomes in relation to complications and success were divided in two eras, 1997-2005 and 2006-2014, to study the differences. Of the 3402 patients, 2501 (73.5%) were male and 901 (26.5%) were female, giving a male:female ratio of 2.8:1. Staghorn (partial or complete) calculi were found in 27.5% of patients, while 72.5% had non-staghorn calculi. Intracorporeal energy sources used for stone fragmentation included ultrasonography in 917 patients (26.9%), pneumatic lithoclast in 1820 (53.5%), holmium laser in 141 (4.1%) and Lithoclast® master in 524 (15.4%). In the majority of patients (97.4%) a 18-22-F nephrostomy tube was placed after the procedure, while 69 patients (2.03%) underwent tubeless PCNL. The volume of the irrigation fluid used ranged from 7 to 37 L, with a mean of 28.4L. The stone-free rate after PCNL in the first era studied was 78%, vs 83.2% in the second era, as assessed by combination of ultrasonography and plain abdominal film of the kidney, ureter and bladder. The complication rate in the first era was 21.3% as compared with 10.3% in the second era, and this difference was statistically significant. Stone analysis showed pure stones in 41% and mixed stones in 58% of patients. The majority of stones consisted of calcium oxalate. This is the largest series of PCNL reported from any single centre in Pakistan, where there is a high prevalence of stone disease associated with infective and obstructive complications, including renal failure. PCNL as a treatment method offers an economic and effective option in the management of renal stone disease with acceptable stone clearance rates in a resource-constrained healthcare system.

Néphrolithotomie percutanée des calculs rénaux des personnes âgées : méta-analyse des résultats et complications

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard treatment for kidney stones regardless of age. Elderly patients (EP)≥65years old, in growing numbers, have more comorbidities than the general population, may alter results of PCNL. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare efficacy and complications of this procedure between EP and young patients (YP). Original studies of prospective and historical cohorts, in English or French, presenting PCNL series published on PubMed until 2015were identified using the keywords percutaneous nephrolithotomy, elderly patients, kidney stones and staghorn calculi. Our analysis focused on therapeutic efficacy, defined by absence of residual fragment or the presence of residual fragments<4mm at 3postoperative months, and postoperative complications according to patient age: YP<65years old and EP≥65years old. Binary qualitative data were analyzed using odds ratio (OR) and quantitative data by estimating the difference of means. In total 397studies were identified among which 23were checked and 8included in the meta-analysis for methodological quality corresponding to 4995YP and 820EP. No efficacy difference (OR=0.96; [IC95%: 0.80; 1.17]; P=0.71), operating time (+1.15min in EP [IC95%: -2.83; 5.12]; P=0.57) and average length of stay (+0.29days in EP [IC95%: -0.14; 0.72]; P=0.19) has been reported. It was a trend to more urinary infections (OR=2.24; [IC95%: 0.74-6.80]; P=0.16) and a significantly increase of postoperative blood transfusions in EP (OR=1.41; [IC95%: 1.00-1.97]; P=0.04). PCNL for kidney stones n EP is effective with a significantly increase the risk of postoperative blood transfusions compared to YP.

Gastrointestinal system complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a systematic review.

To evaluate gastrointestinal tract complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), to determine risk factors, and to develop strategies for diagnosis and treatment. A literature review was conducted for the studies published in the English language in the databases of PubMed and Scopus between July 1985 and June 2013. The key words for digital literature search were limited to the following: "percutaneous nephrolithotomy complications, ([splenic injury, liver injury, gallbladder injury and biliary peritonitis, colonic injury] during/after [percutaneous nephrolithotomy]), complication, Clavien, Clavien-Dindo classification, management, review, PNL, PCNL." A total of 16 articles on splenic injury were reviewed. There was no consensus in the literature regarding the management of splenic injuries. A conservative approach with new treatment modalities is the most widely accepted method in the literature. A total of seven articles on gallbladder injury were reviewed. All gallbladder injuries resulted in cholecystectomy. The time of diagnosis is the most significant parameter determining choice between laparoscopy and laparotomy. A total of seven articles on liver injury were reviewed. The liver injury generally provides the best response to a conservative approach among other solid organ injuries. A total of 11 articles on bowel injury were reviewed. Bowel injury mostly results in exploratory laparotomy. Unlike colon injuries, bowel injuries are more complex to manage with conservative measures because of the challenges in diagnosis and the fact that the injury is located in the intraperitoneal area. A total of 28 articles, which comprised a large case series with colon injuries, consisted of collaborative reviews and meta-analyses were reviewed. In total, 51 colon injuries (0.5%) were evaluated occurring in 13,424 patients in supine and prone PCNL series. Conservative approaches have proven to be effective in colon injuries in the absence of large perforations and intraperitoneal involvement. There is a downward trend in gastrointestinal complications from PCNL because of the technologic advances that guide the diagnosis and treatment. Paradoxically, the rate of complications is higher in complex kidney stones such as those in a horseshoe kidney and pelvic and malrotated kidney that represent anatomic challenges for intervention. The most important point is to determine the risk factors for preoperative planning of the procedure and to diagnose the complications for proper management early.

Percutaneous stone surgery using a tubeless technique with fibrin sealant: report of our first 107 cases

Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Small case series support the safety and efficacy of tubeless PCNL with fibrin sealant. However, there is a paucity of data from larger case series supporting this approach. To our knowledge, this is among the largest tubeless PCNL series. We found the use of fibrin sealant for tubeless PCNL was associated with excellent stone-free rates (approaching 90%), short hospitalisation, and low complication rates. Tubeless PCNL with nephrostomy tract fibrin sealant appears to be viable option for appropriately select patients. • To report on our first 107 cases of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using fibrin sealant as a haemostatic agent within the access tract. PCNL is the preferred treatment for patients with large renal stones, and the tubeless technique with the use of fibrin sealant has recently gained popularity. • We performed a retrospective review of single-access, PCNL cases performed without a nephrostomy tube from January 2002 to July 2008. • Nephrostomy tracts were sealed at the conclusion of each procedure with fibrin-containing haemostatic agents. • We evaluated demographic variables, tracked complications, and compared pre- and postoperative haemoglobin, haematocrit and creatinine levels. • On postoperative day 1 computed tomography was used to determine stone-free rates. • Student's t-test calculations were used to determine statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05. • In all, 59 men and 48 women with a mean age of 43 years were included in the analysis of 107 cases. The mean stone size was 2.9 cm(2) and the average hospital stay was 1.07 days. • Pre- and postoperative changes in serum haemoglobin and serum creatinine were not statistically different. Postoperative haematocrit declined by a mean of 4.5% (P ≤ 0.05), but no patients required a transfusion. • Stone-free rates were 72% overall, and 90% when excluding patients with residual fragments of <4 mm. • Complications included seven asymptomatic subcapsular haematomas, one pseudoaneurysm requiring selective embolization, one urine leak, and five return visits to the emergency room for pain. • The use of fibrin sealant in this large tubeless PCNL series was associated with favourable stone-free rates, short hospital stays, and low complication rates with no significant bleeding. • Tubeless PCNL with nephrostomy tract fibrin sealant appears to be a viable option for appropriately selected patients, but future randomised trials are warranted.

Comparison of Supracostal Versus Infracostal Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Using the Novel Prone-Flexed Patient Position

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered standard therapy for large and complex renal calculi. The optimal patient position and puncture site for collecting system access remains controversial. This purpose of this retrospective review is to analyze our PCNL series with respect to puncture tracts, success, and complications using our novel prone-flexed position. Perioperative data were collected on consecutive PCNL cases for renal calculi performed in the prone-flexed position from 2004 to 2009. Patient demographic, stone, operative, postoperative, and follow-up data were collected. Successful treatment was defined as stone free or sandlike (≤1 mm) particles visible on CT scan at 3 months. A total of 318 patients, with a mean age of 52.9 years and body mass index of 27.8 kg/m(2), underwent PCNL in the prone-flexed position (57.9% male). Sixteen tracts were above the 11th rib, 138 were above the 12th rib, and 164 were infracostal. Multiple tracts were used in 16 patients. There were no significant differences between patients undergoing supracostal vs infracostal puncture with respect to side, stone area, number of tracts, number of stones, or the presence of staghorn or struvite calculi. Success in the supracostal group (89.8%) was not statistically different from the infracostal group (94.1%), P>0.05. Overall complication rates across groups was low (11.6%), with a significant difference in complications between the supracostal and infracostal puncture groups across Clavien grades, P<0.01. No patients needed blood transfusions or angioembolization. Regardless of supracostal or infracostal renal access, our novel prone-flexed position assists with percutaneous renal access and ease of nephrolithotomy, while maintaining excellent success rates and minimizing procedural morbidity.

Percutaneous Management of Stones in Transplanted Kidneys

Stone disease is a rare complication after renal transplantation, and the management of these stones can be difficult. In many cases, the best modality to treat stones in transplanted kidneys/ureters is with a percutaneous approach. The goal of this study was to review our series of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) to evaluate the success rates and present the key technical points to achieve a successful outcome. We retrospectively reviewed our series of PNL from January 1997 to December 2007 and identified 15 patients who had had PNL performed in a transplanted kidney. We evaluated multiple perioperative variables and how the patients' urolithiasis presented. We also collected intraoperative data. A total of 15 patients underwent successful PNL in a transplanted kidney. In all patients, but 3, access into an anterior, upper pole calix was achieved, and access was obtained with ultrasound guidance alone or a combination of ultrasound guidance and fluoroscopy. Ten patients had a pre-existing nephrostomy tube, and this was used in all but 1 patient. Of the 15 patients, 8 (53%) were treated with percutaneous flexible nephroscopy/ureteroscopy, and 7 had tracts dilated to 30F to perform rigid PNL. All patients were rendered stone free at the end of the procedure, no complications developed, and no patient required a blood transfusion. Nephrolithiasis in a transplanted kidney can be challenging to diagnose and to treat. PNL is most often the best modality to render patients stone free.

Contemporary Practice of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Review of Practice in a Single Region of the UK

Most series of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) from single specialised centres represent optimum results achievable and may not reflect outcomes of everyday practice. We analysed the practice in our region. Medical records of 178 patients undergoing PCNL in 2002 in 12 participating hospital trusts were retrospectively analysed. Even outside the tertiary referral centres, there was a 6-fold difference between trusts in the frequency of PCNL. In 28% of cases, another stone-removing modality had been tried first. Failed renal puncture was a major cause of abandoning surgery (9%). An indication of the difficulty in obtaining complete stone clearance is that only 107 (60%) operation notes recorded complete clearance, while 75 (42%) patients required a subsequent procedure (13% a secondary PCNL). Use of supra 12th rib punctures was small (6%) as was the rate of 'tube-less' PCNL (4%). Some 22% had simultaneous ureteric stent insertion. Approximately 8% of cases required a blood transfusion. Thirty-eight patients (23%) had a proven infection (UTI) pre-operatively (> 10(4) organisms; > 10 white blood cells) with almost all patients receiving antibiotics at anaesthesia induction. Postoperative sepsis rates (temperature > 38.5 degrees C) were similar in those with and without a pre-operative UTI (18.4% versus 14.3%) and pre-operative antibiotics appeared to have little extra protective effect. Severe sepsis was rare with no patient requiring intensive care admission for this reason. Median length of stay postoperatively was 5 days. These results present important figures to quote when counselling patients pre-operatively, albeit that the degree of difficulty (and hence the likelihood of problems) is identifiable from stone and anatomical configurations. In addition, the present data are a more accurate reflection of urinary stone surgery in non-tertiary, general urological practice.