Percutaneous nephrolithotomy as minimally invasive treatment of urinary calculi

Abstract

The management of urolithiasis has radically changed over the past two decades. Open surgery has been almost completely replaced by minimally invasive procedures. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered to be the first line of treatment for large renal stones. Its use is associated with a multitude of complications. A thorough bibliographic search was performed for this review. Although PCNL comes with higher morbidity, its efficacy is unbeaten by other minimally invasive modalities. Improved skills and modifications of the procedure may reduce the probability of adverse outcomes. However, it is still associated with complications, even life-threatening ones. Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, PCNL has claimed its position as the minimally invasive procedure of the first choice for the treatment of large and complex renal stones. PCNL numbers are rising in recent years.