Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy And Lithetripsy For Kidney Stones

Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCN) is an invasive procedure for removing upper urinary tract stones by means of forceps or wire basket devices. Percutaneous lithotripsy (PCL) is often used to break up large kidney stones to a more manageable size. A nephrostomy tract is first established by using a needle, catheter, dilators, and a nephrostomy tube under fluoroscopic guidance. After this has been accomplished, an endoscope is used to visualize the treatment area while lithotripsy instruments are inserted into the nephrostomy tube to break up the kidney stone. Stone fragments are removed by catheter suction, forceps, or a small basket; smaller fragments are sometimes left to pass spontaneously. General or local anesthesia may be appropriate. <a id="