Pyelolithotomy with pneumatic lithotripsy in treating large renal calculi

【Objective】To investigate the curative effect of pyelolithotomy with pneumatic lithotripsy in treating large renal calculi. 【Methods】The data of 46 cases with large pelvic calculi, who underwent pyelolithotomy with pneumatic lithotripsy, were summarized and analyzed.【Results】Operations for all the 46 cases were successful, the average operation time was 136 minutes and the average blood loss during operation was about 120 mL. Forty-one cases were found stone-free in reexamination of B ultrasonography and KUB one week after operation (41/46); five cases (5/46) had residual stones, the diameter of which was about 0.5-0.8 cm; treated with extracorporal lithotripsy, they were found stone-free in reexamination of B ultrasonography and KUB one month after. 【Conclusion】 Pyelolithotomy with pneumatic lithotripsy in treating large renal calculi can avoid cutting the kidney parenchyma, protect kidney function and decrease hemorrhage, reduce the difficulty and risk of complicated renal calculi operation. This technique is valuable for the hospitals which have the equipment for pneumatic lithotripsy.