percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Pronunciation: per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us NEF-roh-lith-OT-oh-mee
Also written as: PCNL — Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Minimally invasive procedure to remove large kidney stones through a small incision in the back.
Full Definition
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to remove large or complex kidney stones that cannot be effectively treated with less invasive methods. The procedure involves creating a small tract through the skin and into the kidney, through which specialized instruments are inserted to fragment and remove stones. PCNL is typically reserved for stones larger than 2 cm in diameter, staghorn calculi, or stones in locations where other treatments have failed. The procedure offers excellent stone clearance rates with relatively low morbidity compared to open surgical approaches.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as PCNL in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The 3 cm staghorn calculus required percutaneous nephrolithotomy for complete removal." — Pre-operative assessment
- "PCNL demonstrated superior stone-free rates compared to shock wave lithotripsy." — Research publication