Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL OR PNL):
Proven to be the most effective treatment for
large kidney stones (over 2 cm)
What actually happens during a percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
You will be taken to the operating room. General anesthesia will be given. X-ray equipment will be used to guide a small needle into your kidney, and a guide wire can be placed in the kidney through the needle. Larger tubes are passed over the wire, creating a track between the skin and the part of the kidney next to the stone. The urologist is then able to pass a nephroscope (a minimally invasive instrument similar to the ones used for laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgery). At the end of the procedure a narrow plastic tube, called a stent, will be placed in the ureter, which is the tube inside your body which normally drains urine from the kidney to the bladder. This helps drainage of urine from the kidney while you recover from your procedure. A plastic drainage tube, called a catheter, may also be left in the kidney through the original track. This is removed the next day if there are no complications and all of the stone is removed.
Will it hurt?
As the procedure is carried out under a general anesthetic, you will not feel any pain at all. Afterwards, you may experience some tenderness around the small incision and in the kidney. This should not be too uncomfortable, and the ward staff will be able to give you appropriate pain medication if necessary.
Dr. Greenberger is an expert at this technique, and over 90% of patients can expect to leave the hospital completely stone free after a PCNL.
Overview
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (also known as PCNL, PNL, and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy) is the most effective treatment for large kidney stones, staghorn calculi, cystine stones, kidneys with multiple stones, and stones associated with UPJ obstruction (a type of renal outlet obstruction). It is also used for patients who have tried lithotripsy but still have a large stone burden.
PCNL has been proven to be more successful and less expensive than ESWL (lithotripsy) for stones larger than 2 cm. ESWL for large kidney stones often requires multiple rounds of lithotripsy, each requiring time off work and several weeks to pass fragments before the next round of treatment. For this reason, even though PCNL requires hospital admission, the total time off work and recovery is less than ESWL for treatment of these large stones. Therefore, it is considered the best treatment for large kidney stones.
Doctors specializing in Urology with expertise in incontinence, bladder suspension ("bladder lift") and urethral sling procedures, kidney stones, no needle no scalpel vasectomy, vasectomy reversal orange county, laparoscopy and laparoscopic kidney and prostate surgery, prostate diseases including prostate cancer and enlarged prostate (BPH), cryoablation (or cryotherapy) of prostate and kidney, robotic (da Vinci) prostate surgery. Associated Urologists of Orange County strive to be the best urology doctors in the Orange County area. Urologists upholding AUA Best Practice Guidelines.
Adult and pediatric urology, urologic surgery, in Orange County, California
serving Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin.
Our office accepts most major insurance including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Pacificare, United Health, Medicare.
The information on this site is solely for purposes of general patient education, and may not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your own physician for evaluation and treatment of your specific condition.
1801 N Broadway, Santa Ana, California 92706
Phone: (714) 639-1915
Contact us at (714) 639-1915 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenberger to discuss if PCNL is right for your large kidney stone.
Associated Urologists of Orange County
State-of-the-Art
UROLOGY AND UROLOGIC SURGERY
In a Minimally Invasive Way
