The "mini-perc" technique of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with a 14-Fr peel-away sheath: 3-year results in 72 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of a "mini-perc" technique of percutaneous nephrolithotomy using a 14-Fr peel-away sheath for the removal of pyelocaliceal stones, and to determine appropriate inclusion criteria.


METHODS
From July 1999 to June 2002, the medical records and radiographic images of 72 patients who underwent the "mini-perc" technique of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with a 14-Fr peel-away sheath, were reviewed to determine clinical history, stone characteristics, immediate stone free rate, final stone free rate after additional procedures, complications, and hospital stay. We also analyzed the effect of the longest stone diameter, the cumulative longest diameter of stones, the cumulative stone burden, and the stone density on the immediate stone free rate using a Fisher exact test.


RESULTS
The only major complication, arterial bleeding, occurred in a patient with Child A liver cirrhosis and was successfully treated by embolization with coils and a gelatin sponge. The immediate stone free rate was 80.6 %, which was significantly influenced by stone diameter but not stone density. The mean hospital stay after the procedure was 3.97 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The "mini-perc" technique of percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which uses the 14-Fr peel-away sheath, is a safe and effective modality for treating renal calculi.
Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yon Mi
YM
Sung
Sung Wook
SW
Choo
Seong Soo
SS
Jeon
Sung Wook
SW
Shin
Kwang Bo
KB
Park
Young Soo
YS
Do
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*