Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Access: A Systematic Review of Intraoperative Assistive Technologies

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the current gold standard for the treatment of large and complex renal stone disease. It is a complex procedure that requires skill and experience. The most challenging step and key requisite of a successful PCNL is establishing optimal access to the renal collecting system with imaging modalities.

In order to increase safety and efficacy in this crucial step, and with ongoing advancements in current technology, several aids have been developed to assist the urologist and help accurately guide the needle to the target. The goal of this systematic review was to identify and discuss these innovations.

Journal of endourology. 2019 Mar 18 [Epub ahead of print]

David-Dan Nguyen, Jack W Luo, Thomas Tailly, Naeem Bhojani

McGill University Faculty of Medicine, 12367 , 3605 Mountain St, Montreal, QC , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , H3G 1Y6 ; ., McGill University, Medicine , 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , H9S 3S8 ; ., Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent, 60200, Urology , Corneel Heymanslaan 10 , Gent, Belgium , 9000., Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, 25443, Urology , 900 St. Denis street , Pavillon R , R08.474 , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , H2X 0A9 ; .