Objective: To assess the stone-free rate (SFR) subsequent to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with anatomically anomalous kidneys.
Study design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Karachi, from 23 July 2020 till 30 October 2021.
Methodology: Sixty-five patients of renal stone disease with abnormal kidneys, aged 18-60 years of both genders were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information like age, gender, stone size, duration of disease, and type of abnormality were noted. After PCNL, stone-free status was determined after 2 weeks of the procedure by performing ultrasound KUB.
Results: A total of 65 patients were included in this study with mean age of 36.37 ± 12.86 years [Range: 18-60]. There were 76.9% of males and 23.1% of females. Regarding anatomical malformation, 46.2% were malrotated kidneys, 16.9% were horseshoe kidneys, 16.9% were partial Duplex system, 9.2% had bifid pelvis. Median duration of the disease was 12 (IQR=10). Forty-one patients (63.1%) had single and 24 (36.9%) had multiple number of stones with average size of 3.26 ± 1.14 cm. SFR after PCNL in patients with abnormal kidneys was 70.77% (46/65) while 29.23% (19/65) were observed with residual fragments. Out of 19 cases with residual fragments, 10 (53.2%) had stone size <1 cm and 9 (47.4%) had stone of 1 to 3 cm. Sixteen out of 19 patients with residual stones were treated with ESWL (most required: one session), and re-do PCNL was performed in three cases.
Conclusion: PCNL is an effective and safe operation in anatomically anomalous kidneys. For satisfactory outcomes, it requires extreme care and exceptional surgical skill.
Key words: Malrotated kidney, Duplex system, Kidney anomaly, Horseshoe kidney, PCNL, Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).