Use of intra-operative ultrasound scanning in the localization of renal calculi

ABSTRACT

Fifty-one patients (57 renal units) diagnosed to have multiple nephrolithiases (3 or more stones in one kidney) who underwent open surgery were included in this study. These patients were randomized into two groups. The first group had the benefit of intra-operative ultrasound scanning to aid in the localization and removal of all calculi while the other set served as a control group. Post-operatively, all patients underwent radiography and/or ultrasonography to check for residual stones. Using Chi-square tests, the results showed a significantly higher stone-free rate in the ultrasound group (23 out of 27 renal units or 85%) than in the control group (17 out of renal units or 56%). The authors recommend that ultrasonography be used routinely for all patients with multiple nephrolithiasis in whom intra-operative localization and removal of calculi is expected to be difficult.