ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of supra-costal access of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for renal stones.

Methods: This cross-sectional study constituting 160 patients who underwent PCNL via the supra-costal approach was conducted from January 2018 to March 2021 in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Hospital, Muzaffargarh. The supra-costal access was achieved through the 11^th intercostal space. The success rate and complications were noted. Bleeding, pneumothorax and hydrothorax were noted as major complications.

Results: Mean age of patients was 36.06±14.57 years. There were 86 (53.7%) male and 74 (46.3%) female patients. In majority patients the stone size was 2.0 to 2.5 cm in 76 (47.5%) patients. Stone clearance was achieved successfully in 114 (71.3%) patients. The overall procedural complications rate was 54 (33.7%). The commonest complication was bleeding that occurred in 44 (27.5%) patients, hydrothorax in 7 (4.4%) patients, and bleeding plus hydrothorax in 3 (1.9%) patients.

Conclusion: PCNL performed using supra-costal access is effective and safe with minimal complications rate. Supra-costal access can be adopted as a safe and effective access for PCNL especially in patients with complex renal stones.