The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Removal of large kidney stones through a tract from the skin into the kidney.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Üroloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)?

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is direct access to the renal collecting system through a tract created from the flank skin into the kidney to fragment and remove stones larger than 2 cm and staghorn stones.

Under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, a 24-30 Fr tract is created into the kidney. Stones are fragmented with pneumatic, ultrasonic, or laser lithotripters and the fragments are removed endoscopically.

Miniaturized techniques such as mini-PCNL (14-20 Fr), ultra-mini PCNL, and micro-PCNL use smaller tract sizes and reduce complication rates. Stone-free rates exceed 90%.

Symptoms

Kidney stones >2 cm
Staghorn stones
Kidney stones resistant to ESWL and URS
Lower-pole kidney stones (>15 mm)
Stone-related kidney infection (with pyonephrosis)

Risk Factors

Bleeding and need for transfusion (2-5%)
Infection and sepsis (1-3%)
Pleural injury (with upper-pole punctures)
Colonic injury (very rare)
Symptoms related to a nephrostomy tube

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Urology evaluation when a large kidney stone is detected
  • If high fever or prolonged bleeding develops after PCNL
  • If urine output through the nephrostomy tube decreases significantly
  • If postoperative shortness of breath develops (pleural injury)

Treatment Methods

01
Standard PCNL (24-30 Fr tract)
02
Mini-PCNL (14-20 Fr tract)
03
Ultrasonic, pneumatic, or laser lithotripsy
04
Nephrostomy tube placement (usually 24-48 hours)
05
Stone analysis and metabolic evaluation

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Üroloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Üroloji Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)

Üroloji

ESWL delivers focused extracorporeal shock waves to fragment kidney stones into small pieces that can pass through the urinary tract spontaneously.

TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)

Üroloji

TURP is the endoscopic resection of prostatic adenoma causing lower urinary tract obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Cystoscopy (Bladder Endoscopy)

Üroloji

Cystoscopy passes a thin endoscope through the urethra to inspect the bladder and urethra directly for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Varicocelectomy (Varicocele Surgery)

Üroloji

Varicocelectomy is a microsurgical or laparoscopic ligation of the enlarged veins of the pampiniform plexus; it plays an important role in treating male infertility.

Nephrectomy (Kidney Cancer Surgery)

Üroloji

Nephrectomy is the surgical procedure to remove a kidney with cancer (renal cell carcinoma) either radically or partially.

Radical Prostatectomy

Üroloji

Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the entire prostate and seminal vesicles in localised prostate cancer; the robotic approach is today's standard.

Urethroplasty (Urethral Stricture Surgery)

Üroloji

Urethroplasty is the surgical widening or reconstruction of a urethral stricture; success rates are 85-95%.

Radical Orchiectomy (Testicular Cancer)

Üroloji

Radical inguinal orchiectomy is the surgery to remove the cancer-bearing testis along with the spermatic cord through a groin incision, used both for diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.