What is PCNL (PCLN)?

PCNL is a technique used to remove certain stones in the kidney or upper ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder) that are too large for other forms of stone treatment such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy.

What is PCNL for kidney stones?

Kidney stones are formed in the urinary tract due to crystallization of chemical compounds in the urine. PCNL is a technique used to remove certain stones in the kidney or upper ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder) that are too large for other forms of stone treatment such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy.

What is the miniaturized PCNL approach?

Recently some surgeons have adopted the Miniaturized PCNL approach. Mini PCNL requires the same procedural steps of a standard PCNL, but uses a smaller dilator and working sheath. You can see the size difference in the pictureat left. The benefit of Mini PCNL is that smaller dilation decreases the risk of bleeding (Atassi 2019).

What is percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)?

Context: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the surgical standard for treating large or complex renal stones. Since its inception, the technique of PCNL has undergone many modifications.