OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our experience with the use of ultrasound (USG) for puncture guidance while performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy in ectopic pelvic kidneys. METHODS: From January 1990 to December 2013, we have performed percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 26 patients with USG-guided punctures. The stones were solitary in 15 patients (58%) and multiple in 11 patients (42%). The mean stone size was 22 mm (range, 10-50 mm), including 3 staghorn calculi. All procedures were performed in an oblique-supine position, and the intraoperative complications as the postoperative outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 93 minutes, achieving complete stone clearance in 22 (88%) of the patients. One of the patients had urine leakage after removing nephrostomy, needing postoperative double J stenting. One patient had significant intraoperative bleeding requiring staging of the procedure and blood transfusion. No bowel injuries were identified. Mean hospitalization time was 5.6 days. CONCLUSION: USG-guided puncture is a safe and effective approach to the collecting system even in renal anomalies like in pelvic ectopic kidneys when performed in experienced hands.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our experience with the use of ultrasound (USG) for puncture guidance while performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy in ectopic pelvic kidneys. METHODS: From January 1990 to December 2013, we have performed percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 26 patients with USG-guided punctures. The stones were solitary in 15 patients (58%) and multiple in 11 patients (42%). The mean stone size was 22 mm (range, 10-50 mm), including 3 staghorn calculi. All procedures were performed in an oblique-supine position, and the intraoperative complications as the postoperative outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 93 minutes, achieving complete stone clearance in 22 (88%) of the patients. One of the patients had urine leakage after removing nephrostomy, needing postoperative double J stenting. One patient had significant intraoperative bleeding requiring staging of the procedure and blood transfusion. No bowel injuries were identified. Mean hospitalization time was 5.6 days. CONCLUSION: USG-guided puncture is a safe and effective approach to the collecting system even in renal anomalies like in pelvic ectopic kidneys when performed in experienced hands.