Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy abbreviated PCNL is a medical procedure that helps remove medium or large-sized kidney stones from a pattient’s urinary tract. This procedure happens with the help of a nephroscope that a surgeon passes into the kidney through an opening track via incision. The incision is made in the patient’s back side overlapping the affected kidney.
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In short, here is how PCNL works:
- Standard PCNL is performed under general anesthesia
- Procedure takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete
- A small incision (about 1.5 cm) is made in patient’s back (affected kidney)
- Opening tract created into kidney from skin surface
- Surface enlarged via series of Teflon dilators called “bougies”
- A sheath is passed over the last dilator to hold the opening track open
- Nephroscope passed through opening containing fiberoptic light source
- Additional visualization channels help show inside of the kidney
- Removal of smaller kidney stones are directly applied
- Larger stones are broken up with an ultrasonic or electrohydraulic probe
- Holmium laser lithotripter also used to break up larger stones
- Catheter helps drain urinary system through bladder
- Additional tube called nephrostomy tube placed in the incision
- This tube helps carry fluid from kidney into a drainage bag
- Catheter eventually removed after 24 hours
- Nephrostomy tube usually removed while patient still hospital
- Tube may be left after patient discharged
Here is what a Nephroscope looks like:
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A couple of videos will help you understand the procedure:
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in India:
This type of urology procedure is popular in India. Fortis Hospitals with medical centers in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata are specialized in this type of surgery. For more information,lease visit their website and learn more.
This completes our series of 6 articles about advanced treatments in urology. Next week, we will explore advanced dental and dental surgery procedures conducted in JCI-accredited centers around the world.
We will find out why Central America for example, has become such a hot spot for advanced dental surgery and why this Latin American continent has been attracting so many international patients within its borders for this specialized segment of health care boosting an already flourishing Medical Tourism industry in the region.
Until then, enjoy your weekend and speak to you on Tuesday, May 11th. Best,
AE
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