title: Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy. A comparative study with standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the efficacy, safety and morbidity of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-two patients with renal and upper ureteric calculi were included in this study. Sixty-nine patients (71 renal units; group 1) in whom no nephrostomy tube was placed at the conclusion of the procedure was compared with a similar control group of 83 patients (group 2) in whom a nephrostomy tube was placed. Operating time, blood loss, analgesia requirement, puncture site urinary leakage, hospital stay and mean convalescence period were compared in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were similar with respect to age, sex distribution and stone size. Operating time and blood loss were less in group 1 although they did not reach statistical significance. The mean analgesic requirement, puncture site urinary leakage and hospital stay were significantly less in group 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective procedure in this selected group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. narmadagupta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Narmada P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Pawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kesarwani
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: Monish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods*