Rapid dilatation of percutaneous nephrostomy tracks.

Dilatation of a percutaneous nephrostomy track is essential for procedures such as stone or foreign-body removal and nephroscopy. In 140 patients, a technique was used of rapid dilatation to 24 French. It required only a few minutes. This procedure proved to be safe, easy to master, and the materials are readily available. Rapid track dilatation under general anesthesia, immediately followed by nephroscopy, has been a major contribution to success in renal calculus removal, resulting in considerably shortened patient and physician time.