A Comparative Study between Standard and Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical parameters and complications between standard and tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNL). The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and morbidity of a tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 102 patients, who underwent a PCNL at our institution by one surgeon, were enrolled in this study. Of the 102 patients, 30 underwent a standard PCNL between January 2001 and July 2002, and 72 underwent a tubeless PCNL between July 2002 and March 2005. All the PCNL were performed using a balloon tract dilator and 30Fr. working sheath. In the standard PCNL group, a 12Fr. nephrostomy tube was inserted. In the tubeless PCNL group, no nephrostomy tube was inserted, with the skin sutured onto the site of the nephrostomy. The stone volume, operating time, amount of blood loss, complications and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in stone volumes, decrease in postoperative 1 day hemoglobin, transfusion rates and complication rates between the two groups. However, the postoperative hemoglobin (p=0.05) and hospital stay (p=0.001) were significantly less in the tubeless compared to the standard PCNL group. CONCLUSIONS: The tubeless PCNL was associated with no more bleeding or complications than the standard PCNL. Tubeless PCNL is a recommendable procedure in percutaneous renal stone surgery.