Page 2 - Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
P. 2

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy





        Once stone removal is complete, a small tube may          Major complications from PCNL are uncommon, but,
        be left in the kidney, through the access tract to allow   potentially, these can be serious.
        urine to drain. This tube usually can be removed in       Possible complications include:
        a few days. In some, temporary kidney drainage is
        obtained with an internal drainage tube known as a        •  Injury to other organs, particularly the bowel
        ureteric stent running from the kidney to the bladder.    •  Major bleeding requiring blood transfusion
        A bladder drainage catheter may be left for a few           or additional procedures for control
        days.                                                     •  Infection
                                                                  •  Collection of fluid in the chest requiring drainage
        After your surgery
                                                                  You may be asked to take antibiotics for a period of
        A short hospital stay is usually all that is required. An   time after percutaneous stone removal. A follow up
        x-ray may be performed during your stay to determine      visit with your urologist will be recommended. At that
        if all the stones have been removed. Occasionally,        time you will have X-rays to determine if there are any
        some fragments may remain and your doctor                 residual stones.
        may decide to perform another procedure. Some
        fragments may be so small that they will likely pass on   Conclusion
        their own.

        Recovery from percutaneous stone removal is               PCNL is a surgical procedure to safely remove large
        usually rapid. Patients may return to normal but not      stones from the kidney through a small skin incision
        excessively strenuous activity as soon as they leave      allowing more rapid recovery.
        hospital. Return to work is often possible within a week
        after discharge from hospital.


                  Your percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedure has been scheduled for:


                  Day:________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________

                  Time:_______________________________________ Location: _______________________________________


                  Notes: _______________________________________________________________________________________

                   ______________________________________________________________________________________________


                   ______________________________________________________________________________________________






                                                 This publication is produced by










        The information in the publication is not intended to convey medical advice or to substitute for direct consultation with a qualified medical
        practitioner. The Canadian Urological Association disclaims all liability and legal responsibility howsoever caused, including negligence, for the
        information contained in or referenced by this brochure.                                   cua.org            37E-PNLE-06-10
        © 2014. Canadian Urological Association. All rights reserved.
   1   2