Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the first line treatment for treating kidney stones larger than 2 cm size with the advantages of lower morbidity and faster post-operative recovery. Creation of a nephrostomy access is one of the major steps of PCNL. It can be done either by single-step dilatation or by multi-step serial dilatation technique.
Objectives: To compare the outcome and evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy done by single-step versus serial dilatation technique with specific reference to access time, fluoroscopy time, rate of blood transfusion, length of hospital stay (post-op) and complication rate.
Methods: It was a prospective study with a sample size of 100 where 50 patients underwent one-step dilatation and other 50 patients underwent serial-dilatation technique. These patients were analysed on the basis of their demographic profile, renal access time, total fluoroscopy time for access, post-operative haematuria, duration of post-operative hospital stay and complications after operative procedure. Data was analysed and reported using statistical tools.
Results: Demographic profile of the patients and stone characteristics were equivalent between two groups. Mean access tract dilatation time, mean total fluoroscopy time were significantly less in one of the groups. Requirement of blood transfusion, and post-operative complications rate were not significant between two groups.
Conclusion: Both methods are safe and effective for tract dilatation. However, PCNL can be successfully performed by one-step dilatation with the added advantages of lesser time of renal access, lesser radiation exposure. Blood loss and hospital stay after operative procedure were not statistically significant between two groups.
Keywords: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; kidney stones; one-step; serial; tract dilatation.