Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: comparison of the efficacies and feasibilities of regional and general anesthesia

Purpose

To compare surgical outcomes and complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under regional or general anesthesia.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and one patients who underwent PCNL as a first-line treatment for kidney calculi between June 2004 and June 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were classified into two groups by anesthetic method: 77 were allocated to the regional anesthesia group and 24 to the general anesthesia group. Patient general characteristics, stone features, surgical outcomes, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of mean age and stone size, number, and type. Furthermore, they did not differ significantly in terms of general characteristics, treatment outcomes, or complications excluding postoperative fever. However, mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the regional anesthesia group than in the general anesthesia group (8.9±3.2 days vs. 11.5±6.9 days, respectively, p=0.025). Also, the postoperative fever rate was significantly higher in the general anesthesia group (53.2% vs. 83.3%, respectively, p=0.007).

Conclusions

Regional anesthesia is as effective as general anesthesia during percutaneous nephrolithotomy and is associated with shorter hospital stays and lower rates of postoperative fever.

Complications of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Classified by the Modified Clavien Grading System: A Single Center's Experience over 16 Years

PURPOSE

To stratify complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a single, tertiary hospital by use of the modified Clavien system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From May 1987 to December 2010, 1,236 cases of PCNL were performed at our institute. Medical records were available for 826 cases of PCNL from 698 patients, from February 1995 to December 2010. Using multiple factors, we retrospectively reviewed and analyzed 698 patients for complication rates classified by the modified Clavien grading system, along with success rates.

RESULTS

In 698 patients, staghorn stone patients accounted for 33.8% (236 patients). Initial and overall stone-free rates were 69.9% and 88.8%. A total of 297 complications were documented in 282 patients. According to the modified Clavien classification, grade I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb, and V complications were observed in 88 (12.6%), 145 (20.8%), 31 (4.4%), 5 (0.7%), 6 (0.9%), 4 (0.6%), and 3 (0.4%) patients, respectively. Transient peri-nephrostomy catheter urine leakage (15.2%) was the most common complication, followed by transient fever >38° (11%) and transfusion (6.9%). Other individual complications occurred in less than 1.5% of cases. In patients with staghorn stones, grade I, II, IIIb, and IVa complications were significantly more common, and all grade IVb and V complications occurred in patients with staghorn stones.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified Clavien classification provides a standardized grading system for complications of PCNL, although consensus on specific complications would prompt better comparison between centers. A shorter operation time is imperative to achieve less bleeding. Previous stone-related fever and staghorn stones are significant contributing factors for developing postoperative fever.