EVALUATION OF OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS OF SUPRACOSTAL PUNCTURES IN PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY

Abstract

PCNL is accepted as the treatment of choice of large renal calculi including staghorn calculi. The calyces can be approached via a supracostal or subcostal or a combined approach. Often a supracostal approach is found to be the most appropriate approach for optimal stone clearance but is not often used for the fear of thoracic complications. This study is an observational study to evaluate the outcomes and complications of supracostal puncture in PCNL conducted at Department of Urology at Medical College Trivandrum during the period of 2016-2019. A total of 201 patients th participated in this study and 52 punctures were supracostal. It was concluded that supracostal punctures above the level of 12 th and 11 ribs can be considered as a safe option for PCNL as the incidence of bleeding, thoracic complications are visceral injuries are less if done using the proper technique and strict monitoring