Background and Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Patients and Methods: From June 2000 to September 2005, 201 patients with renal stones >2 cm underwent tubeless PCNL by a single surgeon. We report details of the outcomes.
Results: The complete stone clearance rate was 91.04% (183 patients). After surgery, 18 patients (8.96%) had stones (mean size = 7 mm) detected on a plain abdominal radiograph or ultrasonographic examination and were referred for shockwave lithotripsy. The mean stone size was 30 mm (range 20–40 mm). The mean operative time was 35 minutes (range 30–60 min), and the mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (range 2–5 days). Postoperative ultrasonography did not reveal considerable fluid collection. There were no visceral injuries. Twenty-two (10.9%) patients received a transfusion, and 16 (7.9%) patients had urinary tract infection.
Conclusion: In our experience, tubeless PCNL is safe, effective, and feasible without any discomfort for patients.
