title: Exit strategies following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): a comparison of surgical outcomes in the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the characteristics and outcomes of exit strategies following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study database.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two matched data sets were prepared in order to compare stent only versus NT only and TTL versus NT only. Patients were matched on the exit strategy using the following variables: case volume of the center where they underwent PCNL, stone burden, the presence of staghorn stone, size of sheath used at percutaneous access, the presence of bleeding during surgery, and treatment success status. For categorical variables, percentages were calculated and differences between the four groups were tested by the chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant difference reported between the matched pairs was between NT and stent only groups. NT only PCNL was associated with significantly longer operating times (p = 0.029) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.001) than stent only PCNL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who undergo PCNL with less invasive exit strategy involving a stent only have shorter hospital stay than those who have postoperative NT. The intraoperative course is the primary driver of complications in PCNL and not necessarily the exit strategy.
authors: Department of Urology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Cormio
authors: Gaspar Ibarlucea
authors: GI
authors: Gonzalez
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Tolley
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Sofer
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Muslumanoglu
authors: Hans-Christoph
authors: HC
authors: Klingler
authors: Jens-Uwe
authors: JU
authors: Stolzenburg
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: de la Rosette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome