Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) at Urology Clinic DRHC Dubai

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove large or complex kidney stones that cannot be treated with other methods such as shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. Here is a comprehensive overview of PCNL:

Indications:

• Large kidney stones: PCNL is particularly effective for stones larger than 2 cm in diameter.
• Complex kidney stones: Stones that are hard, irregularly shaped, or located in a difficult-to-access part of the kidney.
• Stones causing symptoms: Stones that are causing pain, infection, or kidney damage.

How Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) done?

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove large or complex kidney stones. Here is an overview of how PCNL is typically performed:

Pre-operative Preparation:

• Anesthesia: The patient is usually given general anesthesia, which means they are asleep and feel no pain during the procedure.
• Imaging: Before the procedure, imaging tests such as CT scans or X-rays are done to locate the kidney stones and plan the surgery.

Procedure:

1. Preparation: The patient is usually given anesthesia, either general or local, to ensure comfort during the procedure.
2. Dilation: A series of dilators are passed over the needle to create a tract through the skin and into the kidney.
3. Insertion of ureteroscope: The ureteroscope is inserted into the urethra and advanced through the bladder into the ureter and kidney.
4. Visualization: The camera at the tip of the ureteroscope allows the urologist to visualize the inside of the urinary tract on a monitor.
5. Stone removal: The stone is broken up using a laser, ultrasonic or pneumatic probe, and the fragments are removed through the nephroscope.
6. Placement of a nephrostomy tube: A tube may be left in place to drain the kidney and facilitate healing of the tract.

Recovery:

• Short hospital stay: URS is usually performed as a day surgery procedure, and most patients can go home the same day.
• Recovery time: Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days after the procedure, although strenuous activities may need to be avoided for a short period.
• Follow-up: A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to ensure that the urinary tract is healing properly.

Risks and Complications:

• Bleeding: Some degree of bleeding is common after URS, but it is usually minor and resolves on its own.
• Infection: There is a small risk of developing a urinary tract infection after URS.
• Perforation: In rare cases, the ureteroscope can cause a perforation (hole) in the ureter or kidney.

Advantages:

• Minimally invasive: URS is less invasive than traditional surgery, resulting in less pain and a faster recovery time.
• High success rate: URS is highly effective for treating kidney and ureteral stones, with a high success rate of stone clearance.

If you are in search of the best Urology clinic in Dubai or an urologist in Dubai, then call on +97142798200 for consultation with our consultant urologist. Dubai at Urology Clinic - DRHC offers the best urologist for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in Dubai. Our DRHC is headed by a urologist with several years of experience.