Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the management of renal calculi

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the status of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL] after managing uncomplicated renal calculi in selected patients. From August 2006 to May 2007, 28 patients with single renal stones were selected for tubeless PCNL. At the end of the procedure, a 6 Fr ureteral catheter was left in place and a nephrostomy tube was avoided. The outcomes measured were the operative time, change in the haematocrit value, urinary leak, blood transfusion requirement, hospital stay and the success rate. The mean age was 48 +/- 11 years. There were 25 male and 3 females. The mean stone size in these patients was 35 +/- 10 mm. The operative time was 56 +/- 20 minutes. 25 [89.3%] patients were stone free and three patients [10.7%] had residual fragments less than 5 mm. Two patients had prolonged urine leakage for more than three days and managed by DJ insertion. No patient required blood transfusion or had postoperative urinoma. The mean hospital stay was 2.6 +/- 1.1 days. Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an option in selected patients when there is no bleeding, perforation, or repeat PCNL required