Analysis of Clinical Outcomes of Tubeless Standard-Sized PCNL (TSPCNL) for Large Volume Renal Stones: A Single Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To describe the outcomes of standard-sized tubeless PCNL (TSPCNL) in terms of clinical efficacy (stone-free rate, operative time and length of hospital stay) and safety (transfusion rate, infection and complications).

Methods: A chart review was done on all patients who underwent standard-sized PCNL from 2017 to 2019. All cases of TSPCNL were identified. The patient and stone demographics were analyzed including intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Complications were analyzed using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Results: Seventy-nine consecutive cases of prone, single-tract, upper pole access, tubeless PCNL were identified and analyzed. The mean age was 52.74±11.26 with a female to male ratio of 1:1.4. The Guy’s Stone Score showed 12 (15.2%) Grade 1; 23 (29.1%) Grade 2, 11(13. 9%) Grade 3 and 33 (41.8%) Grade 4 renal stones. Mean stone size was 33.7±14.1mm. The stone-free rate was 98.73%. The mean hemoglobin change was 13.6±13.9 g/L. The mean creatinine change was 2.65±23 umol/L. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.46±1.84 days. Twenty-four (30.4%) experienced significant pain, which required analgesics in the form of opioid derivatives. According to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification, 6/79 (7.6%) had Grade 1; 4/79 (5.1%) had Grade 2 and 2/79 (2.5%) had Grade 3 complications. There was no mortality.

Conclusion: The authors’ experience adds to the growing evidence that TSPCNL is a reasonable, efficient and safe approach for large volume nephrolithiasis. Clear indications are needed prior to nephrostomy tube placement after standard-sized PCNL.