The Life and Death of Percutaneous Stone Removal: "Looking Back-Looking Forward"

Abstract

Although percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is less morbid than open surgery, it still carries risks of significant complications as well as injury to the renal parenchyma. Flexible ureteroscopic stone removal, although causes no appreciable damage to the renal parenchyma, has limitations, most notably, a lower stone-free rate than PCNL. Advances in our knowledge regarding ureteral physiology combined with technical developments applied to ureteral access sheath deployment and size may well propel retrograde intrarenal surgery to the forefront of kidney stone removal, regardless of stone size or location.

Keywords: Kidney stones; Lithotripsy; Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; Ureteroscopy; Urolithiasis.