PCNL debulking: Our experience

Abstract

Percutaneous debulking and subsequent ESWL treatment has proved a successful approach to complex stones. Out of 232 patients treated with PCNL from March 1984 to March 1992, 102 (45%) were managed by PCNL debulking and ESWL or EPL (Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy). Recently (Zingonia period 1988–1992) only 21 patients with bulky or staghorn stones were treated by combination therapy. In our series, there were 1.3 sessions of PCNL and 1.8 sessions of ESWL for each patient. We report a high frequency of retained stone fragments (45% at 3 months follow-up). Out of 21, 3 patients underwent further ESWL procedures because the fragments were conglobed. No complications occurred in present series. In the one case we observed a rise in serum creatinine. In our opinion debulking PCNL and ESWL is the treatment of choice in the following cases: burden pyelitic stones, staghorn stones larger than 3 cm. and smaller than 5 cm., partial staghorn filling renal pelvis and 1 calyx; short length of calyces; pyelitic portion exceeding caliceal mass; infected stones in working kidney, stone in solitary kidney larger than 2 cm and hard; previous surgery.