Outpatient tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy:the initial case series

Abstract

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has traditionallybeen performed on an inpatient basis. To the best of ourknowledge, this is the first report of tubeless PCNL on a completelyoutpatient basis. The purposes of this study were to assess the safetyand efficacy of outpatient PCNL.Methods: We reviewed the initial consecutive outpatient tubelessPCNLs performed at our institution by a single surgeon. Patientswere discharged home the day of surgery only after meeting strictdischarge criteria. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperativedata were collected prospectively.Results: Outpatient tubeless PCNL was performed in 3 patients. Themean maximum stone diameter was 14 mm. The average hospitalstay was 175 minutes. All 3 patients were discharged home instable condition after meeting all of the inclusion criteria. Therewere no emergency room visits or hospital readmissions postoperatively.The mean follow-up period was 47 days. All stones werecalcium oxalate and the stone free rate was 100%. There were nominor or major complications.Conclusion: In properly selected patients, outpatient tubeless PCNLis safe and effective. Our initial experience with outpatient PCNLhas been favourable and warrants further investigation in a largerpatient population.