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Seminars in Interventional Radiology Dec 2011Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for large (>2 cm) renal calculi and staghorn calculi. Percutaneous access into the kidney is often...
Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for large (>2 cm) renal calculi and staghorn calculi. Percutaneous access into the kidney is often achieved by interventional radiologists, either prior to stone surgery or in conjunction with the urology team. Several basic techniques should be considered in gaining access to the kidney to avoid both intraoperative and postoperative complications. In this article, the authors discuss indications for PCNL, techniques for renal access, complications of PCNL, and management of these complications. They also briefly discuss management of post-operative drainage tube(s).
PubMed: 23204642
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296086 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi are branched stones which occupy a majority portion of the pelvicaliceal system. An untreated staghorn calculus over time can damage the kidney and... (Review)
Review
Staghorn calculi are branched stones which occupy a majority portion of the pelvicaliceal system. An untreated staghorn calculus over time can damage the kidney and deteriorate its function and/or cause life threatening sepsis. Total stone clearance is an important goal in order to eradicate any infective focus, relieve obstruction, prevent recurrence and preserve the kidney function. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is currently the accepted first-line treatment option for staghorn calculi. The options available are single-tract PCNL with an auxiliary procedure like shockwave lithotripsy, single-tract PCNL with flexible nephroscopy, or multitract PCNL. Each has its own pros and cons. But the ultimate goal of treatment for any patient with staghorn calculi should be safety, cost-effectiveness, and to achieve total stone clearance. With this article, we review the management of staghorn calculi with multiple percutaneous ("multitract") access, its advantages and disadvantages and its current position by studying the various published materials across the globe.
PubMed: 32257801
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.001 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi comprise a unique subset of complex kidney stone disease. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones.... (Review)
Review
Staghorn calculi comprise a unique subset of complex kidney stone disease. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones. Despite continuous refinements to the technique and instrumentation of PCNL, these stones remain a troublesome challenge for endourologists and are associated with a higher rate of perioperative complications than that for non-staghorn stones. Common and notable intraoperative complications include bleeding, renal collecting system injury, injury of visceral organs, pulmonary complications, thromboembolic complications, extrarenal stone migration, and misplacement of the nephrostomy tube. Postoperative complications include infection and urosepsis, bleeding, persistent nephrocutaneous urine leakage, infundibular stenosis, and death. In this review, we report recommendations regarding troubleshooting measures that can be used to identify and characterize these complications. Additionally, we include information regarding management strategies for complications associated with PCNL for staghorn calculi.
PubMed: 32257807
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.004 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn renal calculi are large renal calculi that occupy nearly the entirety of the renal collecting system. They may be composed of metabolic or infection stone... (Review)
Review
Staghorn renal calculi are large renal calculi that occupy nearly the entirety of the renal collecting system. They may be composed of metabolic or infection stone types. They are often associated with specific metabolic defects. Infection stones are associated with urease-producing bacterial urinary tract infections. The ideal treatment for staghorn calculi is maximal surgical removal. However, some patients are either unwilling or unable to proceed with that modality of treatment, and therefore other management must be used. One such technique is the metabolic evaluation with directed medical management. Based on contemporary evidence that the majority of staghorn stones are metabolic in etiology, and furthermore that even infection stones are usually associated with metabolic abnormalities, metabolic evaluation with directed medical management is recommended for all staghorn stone formers. The scientific basis of this recommendation is reviewed in the present work.
PubMed: 32257805
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.12.007 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi present a particular and challenging entity of stone morphology. Treatment is associated with lower stone-free rates and higher complication rates... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Staghorn calculi present a particular and challenging entity of stone morphology. Treatment is associated with lower stone-free rates and higher complication rates compared to non-staghorn stones. In this review we looked for the most relevant data on preoperative imaging and access planning to help decision making for percutaneous surgery with this complex condition.
METHODS
We conducted a PubMed search of publications in the past 2 decades that include relevant information on the planning for management of staghorn stones. Non-contrast computerized tomography (NCCT) is indeed the standard imaging tool for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL); additional tools such as three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) reconstruction of the staghorn calculus may help plan access in complex cases. Ultrasound guided percutaneous access may be considered for staghorn stones when planning upper pole access in kidney malposition or complex intrarenal anatomy or with complex body habitus. Wideband doppler ultrasound and real-time virtual sonography can assist. New technologies to improve kidney access such as Uro Dyna-CT or electromagnetic sensor have been reported, but have not shown utilization in staghorn cases. Staghorn morphometry-based prediction algorithms may predict the number of tract(s) and stage(s) for PCNL monotherapy. Lower pole access can be equally effective as upper pole when planning for staghorn and complex stones, with significantly less complications rate; Stone-Tract length-Obstruction-Number of involved calyces-Essence of stone density (STONE) nephrolithometry seems to be the best system to predict outcomes of PCNL in staghorn cases. There is a growing trend of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) in concordance with PCNL to treat larger stones. Conservative management of staghorn calculi is an undesired option, but can be an alternative for a carefully selected group of high-risk patients.
CONCLUSION
Staghorn stones may lead to deterioration of renal function and life-threatening urosepsis. This entity should be managed aggressively with planning ahead for surgery using the different tools available as the cornerstone for a successful outcome.
PubMed: 32257800
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.07.002 -
Renal Failure Nov 2018Staghorn stones are large branching stones that fill part of all of the renal pelvis and renal calyces and they can be complete or partial depending on the level of... (Review)
Review
Staghorn stones are large branching stones that fill part of all of the renal pelvis and renal calyces and they can be complete or partial depending on the level of occupancy of the collecting system. Although kidney stones are commoner in men, staghorn stones are less often reported in men compared to women and they are usually unilateral. Due to the significant morbidity and potential mortality attributed to staghorn stones, prompt assessment and treatment is mandatory. Conversely, conservative treatment has been shown to carry a mortality rate of 28% in 10-year period and 36% risk of developing significant renal impairment. Staghorn stones are, therefore, significant disease entity that should be managed aggressively and effectively. Generally, the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones is surgical with a view to achieve stone-free collecting system and preserve renal function. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy should be the recommended first-line treatment for staghorn stones. Other non-surgical options are usually considered in combination with surgery or as monotherapy only if patients are surgically unfit. The decision for optimal treatment of staghorn stones should be individualized according to the circumstances of the patient involved and in order to do so, a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option is necessary.
Topics: Clinical Decision-Making; Combined Modality Therapy; Conservative Treatment; Female; Humans; Male; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous; Patient Selection; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Recurrence; Renal Insufficiency; Sex Factors; Staghorn Calculi; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29658394
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2018.1459306 -
The Western Journal of Medicine Apr 1980The prevalence of kidney stones has steadily risen during this century; passage of a calculus and a positive family history increase the probability of recurrence....
The prevalence of kidney stones has steadily risen during this century; passage of a calculus and a positive family history increase the probability of recurrence. Findings from recent studies on the cause of renal calculi have stressed crystallization and crystal aggregation of stone minerals from supersaturated urine, rather than excessive organic matrix. Absence of normal urine inhibitors of calcium salts is also stressed. Formation of calcium oxalate stones is the major problem. Therapy with decreased calcium and oxalate intake, thiazides, phosphate salts and allopurinol in various combinations has substantially decreased the prevalence of recurrent stones. The rationale for the use of allopurinol is that uric acid salts enhance the tendency for calcium oxalate to crystallize from supersaturated urine. The hypercalciuria seen in 30 percent to 40 percent of patients with oxalate stones is usually caused by intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium. Although patients with uric acid calculi constitute only a small fraction of those in whom stones form, they represent a group in whom good medical therapy, based on sound physiologic principles, has proved extremely successful. Renal tubular syndromes lead to nephrocalcinosis and lithiasis through hypercalciuria, alkaline urine and hypocitraturia, the latter an inhibitor of calcium salt precipitation. Recent advances in surgical techniques are discussed, including the rationale for removing staghorn calculi. The ileal ureter and coagulum pyelolithotomy deserve special emphasis.
Topics: Acidosis, Renal Tubular; Calcium; Calcium Oxalate; Cystinuria; Humans; Kidney Calculi; Kidney Diseases; Uric Acid
PubMed: 7385835
DOI: No ID Found -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020To define the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To define the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the Scopus and Medline databases. Original articles and systematic reviews were selected according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies relating to the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi were included.
RESULTS
In five studies on ureteroscopic monotherapy, stone-free rate (SFR) ranged from 33% to 93%, with a maximum four ureteroscopy sessions per patient and no major complications. Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) was compared with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in two studies and reached significantly higher SFR (88%-91% 59%-65%) and lower operative times (84-110 min 105-129 min). The role of salvage ureteroscopy for residual stones after primary PNL has been highlighted by two studies with a final SFR of 83%-89%. One study reported on the feasibility of ureteroscopy for ureteral stones and same-session PNL for contralateral staghorn calculi, with a SFR of 92%.
CONCLUSION
Ureteroscopy plays a pivotal role in the setting of a combined approach to staghorn calculi. Ureteroscopy is also particularly suitable for clearance of residual stones. In specific cases, ureteroscopy may become the sole applicable therapeutic option to staghorn calculi. Technological advances and refinement of techniques suggest a major role of ureteroscopy for staghorn calculi treatment in close future.
PubMed: 32257803
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.012 -
BMC Urology Aug 2021To explore the risk factors for severe bleeding complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) according to the modified Clavien scoring system.
BACKGROUND
To explore the risk factors for severe bleeding complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) according to the modified Clavien scoring system.
METHODS
We retrospectively analysed 2981 patients who received percutaneous nephrolithotomies from January 2014 to December 2020. Study inclusion criteria were PCNL and postoperative mild or severe renal haemorrhage in accordance with the modified Clavien scoring system. Mild bleeding complications included Clavien 2, while severe bleeding complications were greater than Clavien 3a. It has a good prognosis and is more likely to be underestimated and ignored in retrospective studies in bleeding complications classified by Clavien 1, so no analysis about these was conducted in this study. Clinical features, medical comorbidities and perioperative characteristics were analysed. Chi-square, independent t tests, Pearson's correlation, Fisher exact tests, Mann-Whitney and multivariate logistic regression were used as appropriate.
RESULTS
Of the 2981 patients 70 (2.3%), met study inclusion criteria, consisting of 51 men and 19 women, 48 patients had severe bleeding complications. The remaining 22 patients had mild bleeding. Patients with postoperative severe bleeding complications were more likely to have no or slight degree of hydronephrosis and have no staghorn calculi on univariate analysis (p < 0.05). Staghorn calculi (OR, 95% CI, p value 0.218, 0.068-0.700, 0.010) and hydronephrosis (OR, 95% CI, p value 0.271, 0.083-0.887, 0.031) were independent predictors for severe bleeding via multivariate logistic regression analysis. Other factors, such as history of PCNL, multiple kidney stones, site of puncture calyx and mean corrected intraoperative haemoglobin drop were not related to postoperative severe bleedings.
CONCLUSIONS
The absence of staghorn calculi and a no or mild hydronephrosis were related to an increased risk of post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy severe bleeding complications.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Hydronephrosis; Kidney Calculi; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Staghorn Calculi
PubMed: 34388999
DOI: 10.1186/s12894-021-00866-9