Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a type of treatment carried as surgery when kidney stone appears to be severe. This method is used when
- The PainPain is severe and cannot be managed
- The object is too large
- The particle is causing an infection that is damaging organs in the body
Before the surgery can be carried out, general anesthesia is needed. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) involves making an incision just enough to allow the telescope to reach in and locate the object. It then breaks up into particles and suction out the pieces.
The percutaneous method of nephrolithotomy (PCNL) allows suctioning out the pieces, making it the best treatment for large stones. After the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a tube is usually left in the kidney to drain urine out of the body. It can also be seen as a form of cleansing that will also stop any form of bleeding.
After surgery, your urologist should undergo an X-ray to see if there are any stone pieces; if any, the urologist might have to look back into the kidney and remove the stone with a telescope.