Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery: a feasibility study with review of literature

Abstract

Purpose: To present our initial experience of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery.

Patients and methods: Twenty-five patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery underwent tubeless PCNL at our institute. Patients with large renal and/or upper ureteral calculi, irrespective of the number and size of the stones, amount of hydronephrosis, or the renal parameters, were selected for the procedure. Exclusion criteria were patients needing more than two percutaneous tracts, significant bleeding, and a significant residual stone burden that would necessitate a staged PCNL. The perioperative outcome of these patients (study group) was retrospectively compared with an historic cohort of the same number of patients with a history of open surgery for renal calculi who underwent ipsilateral PCNL with routine placement of a nephrostomy tube (control group).

Results: The two groups had comparable demographic data. Patients in the study group needed less postoperative analgesia (P = 0.000). They were discharged a mean of 10 hours earlier (P = 0.000). Two patients in both groups required blood transfusion. No urinoma or urinary leak from the nephrostomy site occurred in the study group. The incidence of other postoperative complications was comparable in both groups. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 88% of patients in the study group and 84% patients in the control group.

Conclusion: The tubeless approach in patients with a history of open renal surgery is associated with decreased analgesia requirement and hospital stay without compromising stone-free rates or increasing the complications.