Purpose: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are well accepted, minimally invasive modalities available for the treatment of calculi. In this paper we review and discuss the technique of combination “sandwich therapy” for the treatment of select patients with large, extensively branched, or otherwise complex stones. Materials and Methods: A review of the literat...

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using adult sized instruments in the management of pediatric urolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 children younger than 15 years who had undergone 45 PCNLs with adult sized instruments in our center between August 2007 and February 2010. RESULTS T...

OBJECTIVE To compare the results of balloon dilatation (BD) vs. telescopic metal dilators (TMDs) in establishing the tract for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with calyceal stones or staghorn stones, but with no hydronephrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from selected patients over 4 years were recorded retrospectively. Patients with complex staghorn stones, an undilated target...

A 65-year-old man presented with history of pain in the right side of abdomen for last 2 years with concomitant dyspepsia. On examination, there was no icterus, and abdominal examination was unremarkable. The patient had been investigated earlier and referred to tertiary center in view of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) showed dilated CBD pack...

Introduction: Percutaneous surgery is a safe and effective method in the treatment of staghorn stones. Objectives: the analysis of our experience in percutaneous treatment of staghorn stones. Over a period of 24 years (1987-2010), the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), extracorporeal lithotripsy (ESWL), retrograde rigid ureteroscopy and antegrade rigid ureteroscopy have almost completely repl...

OBJECTIVE To prospectively compare the Guy's Stone Score (GSS), S.T.O.N.E. [stone size (S), tract length (T), obstruction (O), number of involved calices (N), and essence or stone density (E)] score and the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) nephrolithometric nomogram to predict percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) success rate and assess the correlation with perioper...

Background: The incidence of renal hemorrhage during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is high. We sought to evaluate the effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) on bleeding and hemoglobin levels of patients with staghorn calculi treated with PCNL.Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial, 120 patients with staghorn calculi candidated for PCNL in Alzahra Hospital between January 2014 and Novem...

PURPOSE To describe our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with solitary kidneys and analyze factors that can impact on intra-operative bleeding and postoperative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed our stone database searching for patients with solitary kidney who underwent PCNL from Jan-05 through Oct-13. Demographic data, stone characteristics, and...