RESUMO
The majority of renal calculi including staghorn calculi can be treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with percutaneous or endourological relief. In case of complete staghorn calculi, many treatment sessions may be required and non-operative treatment by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) also is an invasive technique, because the insertion of a percutaneous nephrostomy tube into a calyx occupied by a staghorn calculus, placement of a safety guide wire into the ureter and dilatation of the tract are extremely difficult. From July 1985 to December 1991 we evaluated 12 patients with complete staghorn calculi in 15 kidneys for initial therapy using anatrophic nephrolithotomy. We suggest that the operative treatment should still be considered a viable treatment option, especially in patients with complete staghorn calculi.