Kidney Stones are produced in the body, especially in the urinary tract. It is formed because of the excessive crystallization of chemical substances in the urine. PCNL or Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is the surgical procedure which is performed to remove the kidney stone from the urinary tract or upper ureter, the tube responsible for draining the urine from kidney to bladder. The surgery is mainly performed when the kidney stone is too larger and can’t be removed with other traditional treatments like ureteroscopy or shock wave lithotripsy. The procedure involves inserting the scope through the small incision in back to remove the stones formed in the urinary tract.
PCNL or Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is the process which is mainly prescribed in the following circumstances by doctors:
Different tests are performed by the doctor prior to the surgery to check the signs of infections and other health conditions.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is the surgical procedure and hence it is performed mainly in hospital and doctors administer general anesthesia under which the surgery is performed. So, patients will fall asleep during the procedure and they won’t experience any pain.
Before the surgery, doctors may also ask you to undergo certain tests like CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray imaging so as to guide the doctor to your kidney precisely for removal of the kidney stone. Before the surgery doctors may also prescribe you to some antibiotics to minimize the chance of developing infections post-surgery. You will also be asked to stop using other medications at least 10 days prior to surgery day.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is performed under general anesthesia and the patient is required lying face down upon their abdomen with their back in an upright direction. After the anesthesia is administered, the surgeon will start the process of cystoscopy and instill carbon dioxide into the kidney via a small catheter which is placed up via the drainage tube of the affected kidney. This would help the surgeon see the branches of collecting system that are affected. They can now easily locate the stone in the kidney and they will place the small needle right through your skin with X-Ray guidance to access the stone directly.
Now with the use of ultrasonic mechanical or laser lithotripsy device, the stone would be fragmented in several pieces and it will be extracted out from the body through the sheath.
After the surgery, you would be requiring to take optimal care. You would be prescribed with pain control medications to control the mild pain which may develop at nephrostomy tube site. Showering is allowed after surgery, but optimal care needs to be taken while taking a shower. Moreover, you would be restricted from certain activities to minimize the risk of a blood clot. The activity to be restricted is prolonged lying or sitting in bed, climbing stairs and driving must be avoided for at least 2-3 weeks post surgery. Moreover, you also need to take proper care of the nephrostomy tube to ensure faster and proper healing of the kidney.
There are certain risks and complications involved with Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and this includes:
These were some of the complications which may arise after the surgery.
In most of the cases of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, patients usually recover within 2-3 days and they were discharged from hospital after the procedure. But, it is suggested that they must refrain themselves from certain activities for a few weeks like lifting or rigorous exercises. They must also take proper care of the surgery site to ensure faster healing and follow-up appointment must be taken to check the progress of the healing.
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