Outpatient percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

Technical advances and operator experience have resulted in a rapid and marked streamlining of the percutaneous approach to renal calculi. The development of nephrostomy tract balloon dilators, improved grasping instruments and the use of assisted local anesthesia have been integral in reducing the morbidity and cost of the procedure. We report our initial favorable experience in the use of percutaneous stone removal on an outpatient basis. All 5 patients underwent an uncomplicated 1-stage stone removal. Cost for outpatient percutaneous stone removal was substantially less than for surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.