Initial experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy: results, problems and complications.

Initial experience from 132 cases of percutaneous lithotripsy performed at three departments in Arhus County in 1984-85 is reviewed. Twenty patients were not offered a percutaneous operation during this period. In 12 cases the stone had to be removed by open operation. Another 12 cases were also regarded as failures due to important residual stones or fragments. Stone free kidneys were obtained in 86 cases (64%), whereas 22 (17%) had minor residual stones or fragments considered unimportant in relation to the present indications for operation. Stones 20 mm in diameter, and especially staghorn stones frequently gave failures. Minor complications were recorded in 29 patients and resulted in 7 open operations, mostly from the early part of the series. Five severe complications were seen. An old weak man died from late complications after bleeding. The four others were operated for pulmonary embolism (1 pt), late bleeding (traumatic aneurysm, 2 pt) and colonic perforation (1 pt). They all recovered.