Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL)

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the preferable treatment procedure for patients with kidney stones that are too large for shock wave lithotripsy. The surgeon is required to make a small cut in the patient's side and using a nephroscope will locate and remove the stone. With bigger stones, an ultrasonic, hydraulic or electrohydraulic probe may be required to breakdown the stone into smaller pieces. The patient would be under anaesthetics whilst this is carried out. An advantage that PNL has over SWL is that the surgeon removes the stone fragments directly, rather than relying on the natural passage of the stone fragments from the ureters. After undergoing this procedure patients may stay in the hospital for two to three days and may need to have a small catheter in the kidney whilst recovering. The majority of patients can resume light activities in less than two weeks.