Short-term and stabilized effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy on the kidney.

A homogeneous group of 15 patients was investigated before and after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN). Creatinine and electrolyte clearances evaluated both before and during saline (NaCl 0.9%) infusion, 4-7 days after PCN remained unchanged with respect to the preoperative values. A significant decrease of urinary PGE2 was observed postoperatively both before and after extracellular volume expansion. 99mTc-DTPA renography performed 26-40 days after surgery showed a scar on the convex margin of one kidney in the area of the nephrostomy and an improved renographic curve in 5 renal units. No difference between pre- and post-PCN isotopic clearances was evident. On the basis of our results we can affirm that PCN is an efficient and safe method for the treatment of nephrolithiasis.