PCNL a Unique Way to Remove Large, Hard-to-Reach Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits formed from urine chemicals.

• The four types of kidney stones are calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine.
• Stones may stay in the kidney or move into the urinary tract.
• Some stones pass with urination and cause little pain.
• Those that don’t move can block urine flow and cause severe pain.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure used at Colorado Springs Urology to remove kidney stones through a small incision in the back, using a tiny camera. Although it is more invasive than lithotripsy, it is the most effective treatment for large kidney stones (over 2 cm in diameter) or stones that lithotripsy cannot break down.

After reviewing your health history and imaging thoroughly, the urologist will decide if PCNL is the safest and most effective treatment for you. PCNL is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat large or hard kidney stones. During this surgery, a small incision is made in the patient’s back to access the kidney directly. The urologist uses specialized instruments and a scope to locate and either break up or remove stones that cannot be effectively treated with less invasive methods.

PCNL is often used when stones are large, hard to reach, or don’t respond to other treatments, such as shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Some benefits of this treatment include:

• PCNL is effective for treating large or complex kidney stones, with a high success rate (75–90%).
• Patients experience less pain and quicker recovery than with open surgery.
• Advances include smaller instruments, better imaging, and improved techniques.
• These innovations lead to less invasive procedures, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays.