PCNL procedure
After placing 5 or 6 F ureter catheters in the renal pelvis in the
lithotomy position under general anesthesia, subcostal or intercostal
access was achieved in all patients with an 18-gauge needle under
fluoroscopy in the prone position depending on the location of the stone
and the anatomy of the kidney. The entry site was dilated up to 30 Fr
using Amplatz dilators, and the collecting system was entered with a
nephroscope. The stones were fragmented with a pneumatic lithotriptor
(Vibrolith; Elmed, Ankara, Turkey). A 14 F nephrostomy tube was inserted
postoperatively and antegrade pyelography was performed in all patients.
If fever or significant hematuria was not detected, nephrostomy was
clamped on the first or second postoperative day. After clamping, the
nephrostomy tube was removed if there was no leakage from the
nephrostomy edges and no renal colic.