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Purpose: Due to the negative impact of radiation on the patient and the surgical team during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), we aimed to evaluate success rate and complications of blind access for PCNL using lumbar notch landmark and compare with conventional fluoroscopy-guided access., Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial, 100 patients who were candidate for PCNL, were randomly assigned into blind group (1) and fluoroscopy-guided group (2). In group 1 the lumbar notch was used to guide percutaneous access and in group 2 fluoroscopy performed after needle insertion, Amplatz placement and at the end of surgery. If the access failed, we would repeat puncturing up to 5 times. In group 2, access was achieved using full fluoroscopy guidance. All patients underwent postoperative assessment including kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray and ultrasonography., Results: Both mean access time and mean operation time were statically similar in group 1 and group 2 (3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.7 min and 35.2 ± 4.6 vs. 38.9 ± 4.1 min, respectively). A successful puncture was achieved in 86% and 94% of the patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .18). Total success rate of procedure was 80% and 88% of the patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .27)., Conclusion: According to this study, it seems that blind access is a safe and effective PCNL method, and we recommend employment of this technique by skilled endourologist in urology centers especially for patient with large hydronephrotic kidney.

Purpose: The aim of study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of PNL in comparison with laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LUL) in proximal ureteral stones larger than 1 cm., Materials and Methods: A total of 80 patients who were candidates for treatment of large ureteral stones in our urology center were enrolled in the study between September 2004 and September 2008. By using patient randomization, they were assigned into two forty-patient groups (PNL and LUL). After evaluating the patients with laboratory tests and IVP, PNL was performed under sonography guidance in the prone position or the patients were submitted to classic laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LUL) transperitoneally. All patients underwent postoperative assessments including KUB and ultrasonography., Results: A hundred-percent success was achieved in both groups. The mean age of the patients were 39.4 (16-63) and 35.2 (18-57) years old in PNL and LUL groups, respectively. The mean stone size in PNL group was 14.2 (10-25) mm and in LUL group was 13.5 (10-28) mm. The duration of the operations were 54.35 (50-82) minutes, and 82.15 (73-180) minutes (P < 0.0001); and the average hospital stay days were 2.6 (2-5) and 3.5 (3-8) days (p = 0.011) in groups PNL and LUL, accordingly. The mean Hb decrease in PNL group was 0.9mg/dL and in LUL group was 0.4mg/dL (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences in terms of blood transfusion, fever, ICU admission, and prolonged urinary leakage were detected in both groups., Conclusion: According to our study, percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonography guidance is comparable with the laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for the treatment of proximal ureteral stones larger than 1 cm.

Purpose: To compare arterial blood gas analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in flank position under ultrasonography guidance with PCNL in prone and supine positions under fluoroscopic guidance., Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial, a total of 90 patients with no upper urinary tract abnormalities were candidate for the PCNL. They were assigned into three groups using pseudorandomization method (30 patients in each group). Patients in group 1 underwent ultrasonography-guided PCNL in flank position. Patients in groups 2 and 3 underwent fluoroscopic-guided PCNL in prone and supine positions, respectively. Arterial blood gas was taken just before and 20 minutes after repositioning., Results: The patients' mean age was 40.8 ± 6.9, 39.4 ± 10.6, and 37.2 ± 11.1 years in flank, prone, and supine positions, respectively (P = .69). The mean body mass index was 27.8 ± 3.4, 26.7 ± 4.7, and 28.1 ± 5.1 kg/m² in flank, prone, and supine positions, respectively (P = .21). Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO₂) increased significantly in flank (111.7 ± 43.8 to 132.8 ± 58.1 mmHg; P = .01) and prone (118.6 ± 50.2 to 134.6 ± 58.5 mmHg; P < .001) positions and decreased nonsignificantly in supine group (121.7 ± 64.5 to 119.7 ± 60.9 mmHg; P = .23). With surgical positioning, there were no significant changes demonstrated in PaCO₂ and serum concentration of HCO₃ in the flank, prone, and supine groups., Conclusion: We could suggest that flank and prone positions could improve patients' oxygenation during PCNL procedure.

Introduction: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in elderly patients., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 50 PCNLs performed in the elderly patients (age > 65 years) carried out in our clinic from 2001 through 2007 and compared those with 248 PCNLs performed in younger patients (age < 40 years) during the same period., Results: No significant difference was seen in calculus burden between the two groups. The success rates (stone-free patients and patients with residual calculi < 4 mm) were 85% for the elderly patients and 90% for the younger patients (P = .45). The major composition of calculi was calcium oxalate in 58% and 66.5% of the elderly and younger groups, respectively. No significant complication was observed in the elderly group. Fever without sign and symptoms of bacteremia was seen in 3 patients of each group (8.0% versus 1.2%, P = .004). The operative time was 75.0 +/- 6.4 minutes and 76.0 +/- 5.1 minutes (P = .25), and the mean hospital stay was 3.7 +/- 0.3 days and 3.8 +/- 0.9 days (P = .80) in the elderly and younger patients, respectively., Conclusion: We found that PCNL in patients over 65 years was a safe and reliable technique with a stone-free rate of 85% for all types of calculi. Well-controlled comorbidities do not increase the risk of operation. It seems that despite the higher medical risk in the elderly patients, PCNL could be safe and yields a high stone-free rate.