The safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the patients with complicated upper ureteral calculus

Objective The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mini-PCNL) for the patients with complicated upper ureteral calculus.Methods The clinical data of forty-eight patients with complicated upper ureteral calculus was retrospectively analyzed,all of the patients had undergone ultrasound-guided mini-PCNL.The parameters include operative time,the stone-free rate,the retention time of nephrostomy tube,the average postoperative hospital stay and the complications.Results In all the 48 cases,the 16F nephrostomy tract was established and the calculus were cleared successfully in one stage.The average operative time was 24 minutes,the average estimate intraoperative blood loss was 60ml.The stone-free rate is 100% according to the ultrasonography or KUB after the surgery.There were no complications such as bleeding,the damage to pleura or intestines.Conclusions As the preferred treatment of complicated upper ureteral calculus,ultrasound-guided mini-PCNL is a safe and effective procedure.