[Results of the percutaneous extraction of calculi of the kidney and ureter. Apropos of 124 cases].

In a series of 118 patients treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy over a period of 18 months, 12 had staghorn calculi and 4 only one kidney. Punctures were made into the inferior calyx in 94% of cases. Two-plane control was by two brilliance amplifiers. The calculus had to be fragmented before removal in 53 patients. The nephrostomy catheter was left in situ for 3 days, 5 patients requiring a second operation. Results showed successful removal of calculi in 90% of cases, failure of puncture in 1.6%, the impossibility of removing calculi in 3.2% and the presence of residual calculi in 5.6%. Perforated colons in two patients healed spontaneously, two cases of secondary hemorrhage were treated by embolization and there was one death (a patient in a debilitated condition). Increasing experience in the use of the method and a more selective choice of patients should dramatically reduce the incidence of complications.