An assessment of serum sodium within 48 h after percutaneous nephrolithotomy with half-strength saline solution.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative serum sodium changes after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with half-strength saline irrigation. PCNL operations from June to August 2008 were included. PCNL was performed according to the standard prone position with fluoroscopic guidance. Patients received 0.3% saline-3.3% dextrose by intravenous infusion in the first 24 h after operation. Serum sodium was measured before the operation and at 6, 24 and 48 h after the operation. 96 patients were included. Serum sodium slightly decreased from preoperative 140.3 ± 2.8 mEq/l to 140.1 ± 3.6, 139.1 ± 3.4 (p < 0.01) and 139.3 ± 2.7 (p < 0.05) at 6, 24 and 48 h after the operation, respectively. Half-strength saline irrigation does not result in considerable change in the postoperative serum sodium in simple PCNL operations. The use of intravenous solutions with hypotonic sodium is discouraged in PCNL patients with the possibility of high volume absorption of hypotonic irrigation fluid.