My Viewpoints on Mini-invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Upper Urinary Calculi

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of upper urinary calculi treated by mini-invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mPCNL). Methods 353 patients with upper urinary tract calculi were treated by mPCNL.All the patients were classified into 6 types based on the location,size,shape of calculi and the degree of hydronephrosis.Meanwhile,the operations were also graded into 6 levels by the degree of difficulty. Results 346 cases were completed mPCNL successfully,including 279 cases(80.6%) of one-stage operation and 67 cases(19.4%) of two-stage operation.5 cases conversed to open surgery,and 2 cases gave up treatment and discharged.Single tract was established in 294 cases(85.0%),double tracts in 41 cases(11.8%) and three tracts in 11 cases(3.2%).37 patients were found residual stones.The overall stone clearance rate was 89.3%(309/346).Arteriovenous fistula occurred in 2 cases and was cured by interventional embolization.The average hospital stay was 7.2 days. Conclusion The mPCNL is an ideal therapy for upper urinary calculi.