Initial experience of micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of renal calculi in 140 renal units.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of the micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) method for the management of kidney stones. We performed a retrospective analysis of 136 patients (140 renal units) who underwent micro-PNL for renal stones between September 2011 and February 2013 in four referral hospitals in Turkey. The selection of treatment modality was primarily based on factors such as stone size and location. In this study, we analyzed patient- and procedure-related factors. The mean age of patients in this study was 28.7 ± 20.6 (1-69) years, and the mean stone size was 15.1 ± 5.15 (6-32) mm. Conversion to mini-PNL was required in 12 patients. All interventions were performed with the patient in the prone position, except for the 3-year-old patient with the pelvic kidney who was placed in the supine position. The mean hospital stay was 1.76 ± 0.65 (1-4) days, and the mean drop in the hemoglobin level was 0.87 ± 0.84 (0-4.1) mg/dL. One of our patients required transfusion. Ureteral J stent was implanted in nine (6.43 %) patients because of residual stones. Seven (6.43 %) patients complained of postoperative renal colic which was managed conservatively. Abdominal distension related to extravasation of the irrigation fluid was observed in three patients (2.19 %). There were no other postoperative complications. An overall success rate of 82.14 % was achieved. Micro-PNL can be effectively and safely used for small and moderate kidney stones resistant to shock wave lithotripsy or as an alternative to other minimally invasive treatment methods.