What Is A Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy?

A percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or PCNL, is a kidney stone surgery for large or multiple stones. The doctor carries out the operation in a medical center operating room. It customarily calls for a hospital stay of one or two nights.

What takes place during the procedure?

A PCNL customarily lasts 1 to 3 hours. Once you are under anesthesia, your doctor will make a small surgical incision in your back. The doctor places a protective sleeve called a sheath through your back and into your kidney. Your doctor then passes a video scope referred to as a nephroscope through the sheath to locate and remove the kidney stones.

To help your kidney heal and drain urine while in the recovery process, your doctor may place a nephrostomy tube or a ureteral stent at the conclusion of the process.

A number of patients require a second procedure to remove all of the stone. In that case, the nephrostomy tube and stent could be left in position until the next operation.

What do I have to do before the operation?

There are actually 3 significant things to do prior to your procedure:

Consult with your personal doctor. 

Let your doctor know:
•   All of your prescription medications, vitamins, and supplemental herbs and natural remedies, and over-the-counter medications.
•   Any known allergies you have got to medicines and the contra agent found in some x-rays.
•   If you may be pregnant.

Review the pre-operative information.

Make time to analyze these instructions offered by your doctor. For instance, you might need to:
•   Go to appointments for medical tests before the procedure like an electrocardiogram (EKG), x-rays, and blood and urine tests.
•   Discuss with your doctor medication that might raise your danger of bleeding, for instance: aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, clopidrogel, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You may have to stop taking a lot of these medicines before the procedure.
•   Take antibiotics, if prescribed, to help you avoid infection.
•   Check with your physician on which of your regular drugs to take the morning of surgical procedure. On that day, take these drugs with just a sip of water.
•   Do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night prior to operation (except for the drink of water with the morning medicine).

Plan for a ride home.

After the operation, you cannot drive yourself home. Before the procedure, ask a relative or a dependable friend to pick you up and get you home. Most hospitals and surgery centers in the St. Louis, MO area won't permit you to take a taxi home following your operation.

Should you have any additional queries about Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, Metropolitan Urological Services would love the opportunity to assist you. Their offices have locations at St. Louis, Washington, and Florissant, Missouri.