Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. What is its role in 1997?

PNL is a challenging and satisfying part of endourologic practice. Although more invasive than SWL or ureteroscopy, it offers a high chance of success in many different situations. The selective and appropriate application of PNL requires the consideration of many factors, especially stone location and size, patient habitus, and the anatomy of the upper urinary tract (Table 5). For the urologic surgeon in the last decade of the twentieth century, complete stone therapy entails judgment and skill with myriad modalities: SWL, ureteroscopy, PNL, and open or laparoscopic stone surgery.