Objective: To evaluate the occurrence and management of complications following minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL).
Methods: The data of 4326 cases of MPCNL from January 2001 to February 2006 were reviewed, including 2451 male cases and 1875 female cases. Their age ranged from 4 to 82 years with a mean of 42 years. Of 4326 cases, 1221 cases had simple nephrolithiasis, 1735 staghorn nephrolithiasis, 386 upper ureterolithiasis, 90 serious stone street after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and 894 residual calculi after open surgery.
Results: Among the 4326 cases of MPCNL, complications occurred in 445 cases (10.3%). Of the 445 cases, 20 had massive hemorrhage, 13 pleural injuries, 1 colonic perforation, 343 fever attacks (T > 38 degrees C), 13 septic shocks, 16 perinephric urinoma, 9 perinephric abscess, 26 renal perforating injuries, 1 guide wire misled into inferior vena cava, 3 died.
Conclusions: MPCNL is a minimally invasive operation. However, serious complications would occur if the procedure were ignored. The improvement in the prevention and management of complications can promote the application of this procedure.