Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) Surgery

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), the best method for large and/or complex stones, is the most effective of the frequently used procedures for kidney stones. During the procedure, the urologist makes a 12 inch incision in your back and inserts a hollow tube to gain access to the kidney stone-containing area inside your kidney. The stones are either taken whole or split into pieces and removed using a stiff metal telescope.

PCNL has a high success rate in removing large kidney stones with minimal complications. However, like any surgical procedure, there are some risks, such as bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding organs.

After the procedure, the patient will need to stay in the hospital for a few days and will need to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery. Physical activity and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for several weeks after the procedure.

The standard of care for individuals with kidney stones that are enormous, very firm, or resistant to alternative stone treatments is this surgery, which has been carried out on numerous patients over the past few years. In the vast majority of patients, it has thus taken the place of open surgeries for kidney stones.

The stone is then seen, broken up, and removed from the body using a small telescope that is inserted via the tube. The stone may need to be broken up first using a laser or another tool called a lithotripter, if necessary, in order to be removed. When compared to open stone surgery, this method has produced noticeably reduced post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to work and everyday activities.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove kidney stones that are too large or complex to be treated with other methods such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. The treatment procedure typically involves the following steps:

• Anesthesia: The patient is given general anesthesia and positioned on their stomach.

• Incision: The surgeon makes a small incision in the back, between the ribs and the hip, to access the kidney.

• Guide wire insertion: A guide wire is inserted through the incision and into the kidney under X-ray guidance.

• Dilation: A series of dilators of increasing size are then passed over the guide wire to create a channel from the skin to the kidney.

• Nephroscope insertion: The nephroscope, a thin telescopic instrument, is then passed through the channel and into the kidney to locate and remove the stones.

• Stone removal: The stones are either broken up with laser or ultrasound energy and removed through the nephroscope, or they are removed intact using special instruments.

• Closure: The incision is closed with sutures or surgical staples.

After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery room where they are monitored closely for any complications. They may need to stay in the hospital for a few days, and will need to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery. Physical activity and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for several weeks after the procedure.