Tubeless PNL in the supine position

Objective: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in a supine position in selected cases with renal stones. Materials and methods: This descriptive study enrolled 120 patients who presented to the urology department at Benha Faculty of Medicine with renal stones between June 2009 and June 2010. All patients were evaluated based on their history, a physical examination, kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB), pelviabdominal U/S and spiral CT of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast or IVP in selected cases. The patients were followed up for postoperative pain, leakage and fever. Perinephric collection with ultrasound (U/S) was performed, and the Hb% and hematocrit were determined after 12 hours. Results: The access to the stones was achieved through the lower calyx (70.8%) and middle calyx (29.2%) with a stone clearance rate of 100%, and there was no need for a 2nd session. The mean operative time was (67.1±19.2 min.), and the mean length of the hospital stay was (3.4±1.7 days). Three cases had perinephric collections <100 cc, which were managed conservatively and resolved within one week. Prolonged leakage occurred in three cases and also resolved spontaneously within five days. Three cases required a one-unit blood transfusion postoperatively. Stone-free status was achieved in all cases through the use of either the lower or middle calyx in the supine position during the operation. A single dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) was needed in 30 cases for postoperative analgesia.Conclusion: Tubeless PNL with the patients in the supine position can be used in selected cases with a favorable outcome and minimal morbidity with the potential advantage of deceases in the postoperative pain, analgesia requirement and hospital stay.