Factors affecting complications according to the modified Clavien classification in complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

INTRODUCTION: An increase in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been accompanied by an increase in complications. We identified the parameters affecting the severity of complications using the modified Clavien classification (MCC). METHODS: From 2008 to 2013, 330 patients underwent complete supine PCNL using subcostal access, one-shot dilation, rigid nephroscopy, and pneumatic lithotripsy. We assessed the impact of the following factors on complication severity based on the MCC: age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, previous stone surgery and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, preoperative hemoglobin, renal dysfunction (creatinine >1.4 mg/dL), preoperative urinary tract infection, anatomic upper urinary tract abnormality (AUUTA), significant (moderate-severe) hydronephrosis, stone-related parameters (opacity, number, burden, location, staghorn, complex stones), anesthesia type, kidney side, imaging and calyx for access, tract number, tubeless approach, operative time, postoperative hemoglobin, and hemoglobin drop and stone-free results. RESULTS: The complication rate was 19.7% (MCC: 0=80.3%, I=6.4%, II=11.2%, ≥III=2.1%). On univariate analyses, only the following factors affected MCC: gender, preoperative hemoglobin, AUUTA, significant hydronephrosis, imaging for access, calyx for access, tract number, postoperative hemoglobin, hemoglobin drop and stone-free result. Renal dysfunction was accompanied by higher complications, yet the results were not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated renal dysfunction, absence of significant hydronephrosis, AUUTA, multiple tracts, lower postoperative hemoglobin, and higher postoperative hemoglobin drop as the significant parameters which affected MCC and predicted higher grades. The paper's limitations include a low number of cases in the higher Clavien grades and some subgroups of variables, and not applying some techniques due to surgeon preference. INTERPRETATION: Many of the complete supine PCNL complications were in the lower Clavien grades and major complications were uncommon. Renal dysfunction, AUUTA, significant hydronephrosis, tract number, postoperative hemoglobin, and hemoglobin drop were the only factors affecting MCC.

Bipolar transurethral vaporization: a superior procedure in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective randomized comparison with bipolar TURP.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized trial, 88 patients with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent bipolar TUVP (N = 39) or bipolar TURP (N = 49) from October 2010 to November 2011. The inclusion criteria were age > 50 years, prostate volume of 30-80 mL, serum PSA < 4 ng/mL, IPSS ≥ 20, Qmax ≤ 10 mL/s and failed medical therapy. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and the IPSS and Qmax were assessed preoperatively and 3 months after procedure in all cases. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in patient age, prostate volume, preoperative IPSS and Qmax. The TUVP group had significantly lower mean values of operative time, hospital stay, catheterization period, irrigation fluid volume and serum hemoglobin, creatinine, sodium and potassium changes compared with TURP group. No significant differences were seen between two groups regarding complications (TUVP = 10.3%; TURP = 12.2%) and modified Clavien classification of complications. No TUR syndrome, obturator reflex or epididymitis occurred in both groups. Re-hospitalization and transfusion due to clot retention (N = 2) and urethral stricture (N = 1) were reported only in the TURP group. Three patients experienced urinary retention after catheter removal in the TUVP group. Two patients were re-catheterized temporarily and one patient required repeat bipolar TUVP. Three months after surgery, two groups had significant improvement in IPSS and Qmax. But the TUVP group had significantly lower IPSS and higher Qmax than TURP group. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar TUVP is a safe, effective and low cost procedure among minimally invasive surgeries of BPH. Compared with bipolar TURP, the bipolar TUVP had similar complications, better perioperative and postoperative outcomes, superior hemostasis and higher efficacy.

Bipolar transurethral vaporization: a superior procedure in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective randomized comparison with bipolar TURP

Objective To compare the outcomes of bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Materials and Methods In a prospective randomized trial, 88 patients with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent bipolar TUVP (N = 39) or bipolar TURP (N = 49) from October 2010 to November 2011. The inclusion criteria were age > 50 years, prostate volume of 30-80mL, serum PSA < 4ng/mL, IPSS ≥ 20, Qmax ≤ 10mL/s and failed medical therapy. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and the IPSS and Qmax were assessed preoperatively and 3 months after procedure in all cases. Results Both groups were similar in patient age, prostate volume, preoperative IPSS and Qmax. The TUVP group had significantly lower mean values of operative time, hospital stay, catheterization period, irrigation fluid volume and serum hemoglobin, creatinine, sodium and potassium changes compared with TURP group. No significant differences were seen between two groups regarding complications (TUVP = 10.3%; TURP = 12.2%) and modified Clavien classification of complications. No TUR syndrome, obturator reflex or epididymitis occurred in both groups. Re-hospitalization and transfusion due to clot retention (N = 2) and urethral stricture (N = 1) were reported only in the TURP group. Three patients experienced urinary retention after catheter removal in the TUVP group. Two patients were re-catheterized temporarily and one patient required repeat bipolar TUVP. Three months after surgery, two groups had significant improvement in IPSS and Qmax. But the TUVP group had significantly lower IPSS and higher Qmax than TURP group. Conclusions Bipolar TUVP is a safe, effective and low cost procedure among minimally invasive surgeries of BPH. Compared with bipolar TURP, the bipolar TUVP had similar complications, better ...

Middle calyx access in complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Middle calyx access has been underused in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), especially in the supine position. We compared the safety and efficacy outcomes between middle calyx and lower calyx accesses in the complete supine PCNL in a non-randomized single-surgeon clinical study. METHODS: Between February 2008 and October 2011, 170 patients underwent posterior subcostal single tract complete supine PCNL with one-shot dilation and middle calyx (n = 48) and lower calyx (n = 122) accesses. Stone location and surgeon decision determined target calyx for access. Inclusion criteria were pelvis stones, staghorn stones and multiple location stones. Exclusion criteria were renal anomalies, only upper calyx stones, only middle calyx stones and only lower calyx stones. Important parameters were compared between the two groups. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Two groups were similar in important patient- and stone-related parameters. Mean operative time (60.7 minutes), mean postoperative hospital stay (1.84 days) and mean hemoglobin drop (0.67 g/dL) in the middle calyx group were significantly lesser than in the lower calyx group (80.1 minutes, 2.19 days, 1.36 g/dL). The middle calyx group (89.6%; 79.6%) had a higher stone-free rate (p = 0.054) and efficiency quotient than the lower calyx group (76.2%; 61.6%). In the middle calyx group (10.4%; 2.1%), complication and transfusion rates were lesser (p > 0.05) than lower calyx group (14.8%; 7.4%). No significant difference (p = 0.40) was seen between two groups using the modified Clavien classification of complications. INTERPRETATION: Middle calyx can be an optimal access in PCNL with the complete supine position for many of upper urinary tract stones due to its superior outcomes.

Assessment of the efficacy of combination therapy with folic acid and tadalafil for the management of erectile dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION.: Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors PDE5Is are less effective in diabetic men with erectile dysfunction (ED); however, the effect of combination therapy with folic acid and PDE5Is in these patients has not been investigated. AIM.: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with folic acid and tadalafil for the management of ED in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS.: Eighty-three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and ED were included in this randomized double-blind clinical trial. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was treated with tadalafil 10 mg every other day plus folic acid 5 mg daily and group B received tadalafil 10 mg every other day plus placebo daily for 3 months. The mean International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores before and after treatment in each groups were recorded. Men with diagnosis of psychological ED, spinal cord injury, or who used folic acid in the past 3 months and patients with any contradiction for use of PDE5Is were excluded. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES.: The cross tabulation and independent t-test were used to evaluate the difference between baseline characteristic of the patients in the two groups. Wilcoxon signed-ranks test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to evaluate the IIEF score and also its changes before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS.: The mean IIEF scores before and after treatment were 11.65 ± 2.67 and 16.80 ± 4.03 in group A (P < 0.001) and 12.70 ± 2.31 and 14.37 ± 2.17 in group B (P < 0.001), respectively. The difference of mean IIEF score after treatment between the two groups was significant (16.80 ± 4.03 vs. 14.37 ± 2.17 in groups A and B, respectively) (P = 0.002). Also, the mean IIEF score was significantly increased in group A as compared with group B (5.14 ± 3.84 vs. 1.68 ± 0.99 in groups A and B, respectively) (P < 0.001). Both folic acid and tadalafil were well tolerated by all the patients. CONCLUSION.: Sexual function in diabetic patients with ED treated with the combination of tadalafil and folic acid improved significantly as compared with the placebo group. The use of folic acid and tadalafil is safe.

Transurethral intraprostatic Botulinum toxin-A injection: a novel treatment for BPH refractory to current medical therapy in poor surgical candidates.

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the main cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in elderly men. Some patients respond poorly to routine medical therapy and are not well suited for surgery, too. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of Botulinum-A on BPH refractory to current medical therapy in poor surgical candidates. METHODS: In this clinical trial, 10 patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH who had responded poorly to medical therapy for at least 6 months and were poor surgical candidates, were received different doses of transurethral Botulinum-A injection based on their prostate volume. The prostate volume, PSA, Qmax, IPSS, PVR and frequency of nocturia were evaluated and compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean IPSS was 24.50 ± 3.8 and 13.40 ± 2.67 before and after the treatment, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean prostate volume was decreased from 41.50 ± 10.85 mL to 30.40 ± 8.05 mL (P < 0.001). The Qmax was increased from 7.87 ± 2.01 mL/s to 16.19 ± 1.76 mL/s (P < 0.001). The mean PSA was 3.12 ± 0.49 ng/mL and 1.71 ± 0.39 ng/mL before and after treatment, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean PVR was 75.6 ± 51.63 mL and 63.50 ± 36.59 mL before and after treatment, respectively (P = 0.096). The mean number of nocturia was decreased from 4.1 ± 0.87 to 2.4 ± 0.84 (P < 0.001). The mean IPSS, Prostate volume, PSA and frequency of nocturia were decreased significantly. Although mean PVR was decreased but it wasn't statistically significant. The mean Qmax was increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Intraprostatic injection of Botulinum-A may be an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic BPH in selected patients whose medical treatment has faced failure and are poor surgical candidates. Transurethral method could be selected as a preferable technique of injection.

Evaluation of Tadalafil effect on lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients treated with standard medication.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and efficacy of tadalafil on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients treated with standard medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-controlled randomized clinical trial, from November 2008 to August 2009, 132 patients with obstructive and irritative urinary tract symptoms due to BPH, IPSS ≥ 8, no indication for surgical intervention and that reached plateau levels of response to treatment were selected. These patients were randomly allocated in two groups (each containing 66 patients). The treatment group received standard treatment of BPH and tadalafil (10 mg nightly); the placebo group received only standard treatment of BPH. IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and quality of life were assessed before and after a 3-month period of study. RESULTS: Before treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax and quality of life values in the treatment and placebo groups were 13.06 ± 4.37 and 13.66 ± 4.25, 8.92 ± 2.96 mL/s and 9.09 ± 2.91 mL/s, 2.93 ± 0.86 and 2.66 ± 0.78, respectively. After treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax, and quality of life values in treatment group were 7.66 ± 3.99, 9.99 ± 4.76 mL/s and 1.80 ± 0.98, respectively. These findings were compared to corresponding values of the placebo group (11.37 ± 3.64, 8.73 ± 2.22 mL/s and 2.19 ± 0.53, respectively): IPSS and quality of life were significantly different but Qmax didn't show a significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil improves quality of life and urinary symptoms in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH, but doesn't have any significant effect on Qmax. Therefore, this drug may be effectively used in combination with standard medical therapies for BPH.

Treatment of loin pain suspected to be renal colic with papaverine hydrochloride: a prospective double-blind randomised study.

OBJECTIVE: • To assess the efficacy of papaverine hydrochloride combined with a diclofenac sodium suppository to relieve renal colic compared with diclofenac suppository monotherapy, as the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on ureteric muscles might reduce the pain of renal colic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • A prospective, double-blind clinical study was performed. • In all, 550 patients aged 17-55 years with acute renal colic were randomised to two groups. Patients in one group (group A) received a diclofenac suppository (100 mg) plus saline 0.9% (placebo) and the other group (group B) received a diclofenac suppository (100 mg) plus intravenous (i.v.) papaverine hydrochloride (1.5 mg/kg up to 120 mg). • Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 20 and 40 min after treatment. Further analgesia was provided at the patients' request (25 mg pethidine intramuscularly). RESULTS: • Baseline characteristics (sex, age, past history of similar pains) were similar in the two groups. • There were significant differences in VAS pain scores between 0 and 20 min and 0 and 40 min in both groups (P < 0.001). • At the end of study, 71.1% of patients in group A and 90.9% of patients in group B reported pain relief and did not require pethidine, respectively. • Significantly more patients in group A required further analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: • According to our results, i.v. papaverine hydrochloride plus a diclofenac suppository were more effective than the diclofenac suppository alone for treating acute renal colic. • Therefore, i.v. papaverine hydrochloride is a beneficial supplemental therapy to relieve renal colic pain, particularly combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Evaluation of Tadalafil effect on lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients treated with standard medication

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and efficacy of tadalafil on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients treated with standard medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-controlled randomized clinical trial, from November 2008 to August 2009, 132 patients with obstructive and irritative urinary tract symptoms due to BPH, IPSS > 8, no indication for surgical intervention and that reached plateau levels of response to treatment were selected. These patients were randomly allocated in two groups (each containing 66 patients). The treatment group received standard treatment of BPH and tadalafil (10 mg nightly); the placebo group received only standard treatment of BPH. IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and quality of life were assessed before and after a 3-month period of study. RESULTS: Before treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax and quality of life values in the treatment and placebo groups were 13.06 ± 4.37 and 13.66 ± 4.25, 8.92 ± 2.96 mL/s and 9.09 ± 2.91 mL/s, 2.93 ± 0.86 and 2.66 ± 0.78, respectively. After treatment, mean IPSS, Qmax, and quality of life values in treatment group were 7.66 ± 3.99, 9.99 ± 4.76 mL/s and 1.80 ± 0.98, respectively. These findings were compared to corresponding values of the placebo group (11.37 ± 3.64, 8.73 ± 2.22 mL/s and 2.19 ± 0.53, respectively): IPSS and quality of life were significantly different but Qmax didn't show a significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil improves quality of life and urinary symptoms in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH, but doesn't have any significant effect on Qmax. Therefore, this drug may be effectively used in combination with standard medical therapies for BPH.

Comparative study of hemodynamics electrolyte and metabolic changes during prone and complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is performed in prone and supine positions. Physiologic solutions should be used to irrigate during PCNL. Irrigation can cause hemodynamic, electrolyte and acid-base changes during PCNL. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to compare the electrolyte, hemodynamic and metabolic changes of prone and complete supine PCNL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a randomized clinical trial study on 40 ASA class I and II patients. Twenty of patients underwent prone PCNL (Group A) and the other twenty underwent complete supine PCNL (Group B). The two groups received the same premedication and induction of anesthesia. Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean) and pulse rate were recorded before, during and after anesthesia and Hb, Hct, BUN, Cr, Na, and K were also measured before and after operation in the two groups. The volume of irrigation fluid, total effluent fluid (the fluid in the bucket and the gazes) and volume of absorbed fluid were measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in Na, K, BUN, Cr, Hb and Hct between the two groups. Absorption volume was significantly different between the two groups (335 ± 121.28 mL in group A and 159.45 ± 73.81 mL in group B, respectively) (P = 0.0001). The mean anesthesia time was significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.012). There was a significant difference in bleeding volume between supine and prone PCNL (270.4 ± 229.14 in group A and 594.2 ± 290 in group B, respectively) (P = 0.0001). Mean systolic blood pressure during operation and recovery was 120.2 ± 10.9 and 140.7 ± 25.1 in group B, and 113.4 ± 6.4 and 126.2 ± 12.7 in group A, respectively. Systolic blood pressure between the two groups during operation and recovery was significantly different (P = 0.027 and P = 0.022, respectively). Mean diastolic blood pressure in supine group during operation and recovery was 80.53 ± 7.57 and 95.75 ± 17.48, and 73.95 ± 3.94 and 83.4 ± 12.54 in prone group, respectively. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly different between the two groups. It was 80.55 ± 7.57 and 95.75 ± 17.48, respectively during operation and recoveryin the supine group and 73.95 ± 3.94 and 83.4 ± 12.54 in the prone group, respectively (P = 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the pulse rate mean value of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The electrolyte and metabolic changes were not significantly different between the two groups, and although fluid absorption in prone group was more than that of the complete supine group, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Considering advantages of complete supine PCNL such as less hemodynamic changes (less hypotension, less fluid absorption and less duration of operation) this kind of PCNL was recommended.

Factors affecting operative time during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: our experience with the complete supine position.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Operative time influences surgical outcomes, operation-related and indirectly anesthesia-related complications. We investigated variables that affect operative time during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with the complete supine position. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed data of 120 patients who underwent complete supine PCNL by one surgeon. Correlation between age, sex, body mass index (BMI), preoperative serum creatinine and hemoglobin levels, history (stone surgery, shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), hypertension, diabetes), stone (side, opacity, burden, complexity), imaging for access, calix for access, number of tracts, and tubeless approach with operative time were assessed by univariate and multivariate statistical tests. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 60.62±30.70 minutes. In univariate analysis, age, sex, groups of BMI, hypertension, diabetes, previous stone surgery and SWL, stone opacity, operation side, number of tracts, and tubeless approach had no effect on operative time. BMI (P=0.029, negative correlation), stone burden (P=0.001, positive correlation), imaging for access (P=0.001, fluoroscopylower>middle) and probably complex stones (P=0.057, complex>noncomplex) were effective factors on operative time. Multiple linear regression revealed association between BMI (P=0.000, negative correlation), stone burden (P=0.005, positive correlation), imaging for access (P=0.000, fluoroscopy

Effect of terazosin on lower urinary tract symptoms and pain due to double-J stent: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of terazosin in the improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms and flank pain in patients with internal ureteral stents. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 73 patients with unilateral ureteral stone and hydroureteronephrosis who underwent insertion of an internal ureteral stent after transureteral lithotripsy (TUL) were randomized into two groups. 37 patients received terazosin 2 mg (once nightly) for 4 weeks and 36 patients received placebo for the same time duration. After 4 weeks, all patients were asked about the incidence of frequency, nocturia and urgency by an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, flank pain and pain during urination by a visual analog scale (VAS) score, and hematuria. RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 2.21 in the terazosin group compared with 4.93 in the control group (p < 0.001). Nearly all the patients in the placebo group reported flank pain during urination but this was only reported in 54.5% of the patients in the terazosin group (p < 0.001). All criteria measured by the IPSS in the terazosin group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of terazosin for patients with an internal ureteral stent relieved some stent-related symptoms such as flank pain, pain during voiding, frequency, nocturia and urgency, but had no effect on hematuria.

Randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of isosorbide-SR addition to current treatment in medical expulsive therapy for ureteral calculi.

It has been suggested that nitrates are potent smooth muscle relaxants that may reduce pain and facilitate ureteral stone passage; therefore it may be an option for medical expulsive therapy in ureteral stones. In a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of medical expulsive therapy with isosorbide-SR 40 mg in patients with ureteral stones (≤10 mm). The patients with ureteral stones in KUB or urinary tract ultrasonography were randomized to receive methylprednisolone plus celecoxib without (control group), and with isosorbide-SR 40 mg (treatment group) for 21 days. 66 patients [33(50%) in control, 33(50%) in treatment group] were entered randomly to our study. The stone expulsion rate was not significantly different between two groups (54.5 vs. 45.5%) (P = 0.497). The need for surgical procedures were more common in control group within 21 days (9.4 vs. 6.1%) and more common in treatment group after 21 days (33.3 vs. 21.9%) (P = 0.756).Patients in the treatment group experienced more intractable pain (27.3 vs. 6.1%), intractable vomiting (3 vs. 0%) (P = 0.046) and hospitalization (3 vs. 0%) (P = 0.314). Drug side effects including headache and dizziness were more common in treatment group (39.4 vs. 9.1%) (P = 0.004). In our study, the use of isosorbide-SR in treatment group did not improve the stone expulsion rate in patients with ureteral stones (≤10 mm) but developed more side effects. Then it may not an appropriate alternative for medical expulsive therapy. Of course, further trials are recommended.

Is complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotripsy feasible in all patients?

Although complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (csPCNL) is routine in some surgical centers throughout the world, its popularity in the field of urology due to a deficiency in its training in educational centers, as a whole, is still minimal. We evaluated the outcomes of tubeless csPCNL in this study. This study was a clinical trial, conducted by one surgical team from January 2009 to January 2010, on 117 patients in complete supine position. Percutaneous access was created under fluoroscopic or ultrasonographic guidance in complete supine position. All patients underwent csPCNL without nephrostomy tube (tubeless). Stone disintegration was performed with pneumatic lithotripsy. Pre- and post-operative data of patients were evaluated. The mean operative time was 98 min. The mean reduction in hemoglobin level was 1.5 g/dl. A total of 129 punctures (105 single and 12 double) was performed. The ureteral catheter was left for 1-3 days. The mean hospital stay was 3.7 days. The stone-free rate was 77.77%. Seventeen patients required blood transfusion. Eight patients had fever. Fistula, extravasation or wound infection did not occur. This study demonstrated that csPCNL is a good option for all patients. Furthermore, csPCNL offers potential advantages including better urethral access, less handling of patients, better control of the airway during procedures and reducing overall operative time, a surgeon seated more comfortably, no density overlap with vertebra, easier access to upper calyces, more rapid access to the airway with less hazard, especially in patients with compromised cardiopulmonary function and morbid obesity.