title: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: technique.
abstract: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered to be the first line of treatment for large renal stones. Though PCNL comes with higher morbidity, its efficacy is unbeaten by other minimally invasive modalities. However, potential complications, such as bleeding, occur. Improved skills and modifications of the procedure may reduce the probability of adverse outcomes. This article discusses the current trends and standards in PCNL technique with special focus on all important steps as positioning, access, instruments, dilation, disintegration, and exit, including outcomes, complication management, and training modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Boeblingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. t.knoll@klinikverbund-suedwest.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.affiliation: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Daels
authors.affiliation: Samved Hospital, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: Janak
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Hopital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Andras
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoznek
authors.affiliation: Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santi e Carlo, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.affiliation: Cottolengo Hospital, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scoffone
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sismanogleio General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skolarikos
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Boeblingen, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tozawa
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D000074642:Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education
keywords: Fluoroscopy; Miniaturized; Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; Tubeless; Ultrasound; Urinary calculi