title: An observational study of staghorn calculi in south Sri Lanka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain patient characteristics, management strategies and outcome of patients with staghorn calculi in southern Sri Lanka.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with staghorn calculi seen at the urology unit in a teaching hospital during a period of eighteen months were included in this prospective study. Data in relation to patient demography, investigations, treatment and postoperative complications were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 60 patients with a mean age of 54 years. Eight (13%) of them were female. Urine pH was less than 7.0 in 52 (87%) patients. Urine culture was positive for bacteria in four (7%) patients. 58 patients underwent open surgery, and two patients were managed non-operatively. Seven (12%) patients developed postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Staghorn calculi elsewhere are usually commoner in females and associated with alkaline urine. But in our study there was a clear male preponderance (M:F = 6.5:1), and urine pH was alkaline in 8 (13%) patients only. Hence the aetiological factors for staghorn calculi in Sri Lanka appear to be different. Although open surgical procedures which form the mainstay of treatment of staghom calculi in Sri Lanka can be performed safely and effectively, there is a necessity to provide minimal access surgical facilities.
authors.affiliation: Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle. amabey@sltnet.lk
authors.forename: Anuruddha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abeygunasekera
authors.forename: Himali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nirupika
authors.forename: Himali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bulegoda
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology