Do you also suffer from kidney stones? Let's learn about this special surgery (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)!

Kidney stones are a health problem that many people in our country are facing. Sometimes these stones are very small, so they can be removed from the body by taking medicine and drinking plenty of water. But sometimes, these stones can get a little bigger. When they get that big, they don't come out on their own, and they are also difficult to remove with other simple treatments. In such cases, today we are going to talk about a special surgery that doctors recommend. This is called 'Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy' or PCNL for short.

What is PCNL surgery? Let's understand it simply

While the name may sound a bit complicated, the process is actually quite simple. "Percutaneous" means "through the skin ." "Nephrolithotomy" means "removing a stone from a kidney." So, to put it simply, PCNL is a surgery in which a very small incision is made in the skin and an instrument is inserted through it to remove a large stone from the kidney.

This is a type of surgery called "minimally invasive." That is, instead of making a large incision in the abdomen like before, this surgery is performed through a very small incision. It's like "keyhole surgery."

Who really needs this surgery?

This surgery is not performed for everyone who has a kidney stone. Typically, a doctor will recommend this surgery in the following cases:

• If your kidney stone is very large (for example, larger than 2 centimeters).
• If the stone cannot be removed with other treatments, such as shock wave lithotripsy or laser ureteroscopy,
• If the kidney stone is causing damage or causing severe pain.

The success rate of this surgery is as high as 75% to 98%. This means that it can be successfully completed in most cases.

How is the surgery done?

This surgery is performed by a doctor who specializes in diseases and surgery of the urinary system. We call him a Urologist . Let's look at how the surgery is performed step by step.

1. Anesthesia: First, you will be put under general anesthesia by an anesthesiologist. This means you will not feel any pain and will be completely asleep.

2. Incision: Next, the specialist will make a very small incision (about 1 cm) in your back or groin, where your kidney is located.

3. Insertion of the tube: A protective tube (sheath) is inserted through the incision into the kidney.

4. Finding the stone: Then, a very small camera-equipped instrument (nephroscope) is inserted through the tube to find the stone inside the kidney.

5. Removing the stone: If the stone is small, it is taken out directly. If the stone is large, it is broken into small pieces using a laser beam or a special sound wave device (lithotripter).

6. To help with healing: After the stone is removed, a small tube (a `drainage tube`) or ureteral stent is sometimes placed inside to help urine flow properly and the wound heal faster. Finally, the incision in the skin is closed with stitches.

Usually, this entire process takes about two to four hours.

Things to know before and after surgery

There needs to be some preparation on your part before and after surgery. Let's take a look at that.

Are there any risks to this surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks involved. These are very rare, but it's important to be aware of them.

• Risks associated with anesthesia.
• Infection at the surgical site.
• Excessive bleeding or blood clot (hematoma).
• Some damage to the kidney.
• Severe urinary tract infections (such as sepsis).
• Rarely, it is not possible to completely remove the stone.

Don't worry about these risks. Your doctor will plan the surgery in a way that will manage all of these.

When to seek immediate medical advice

When you get home after surgery, pay close attention to your body. If you notice anything unusual, you should call your doctor right away. Be especially aware of these symptoms:

• If the cut is bleeding profusely.
• If you are passing thick blood clots like tomato sauce with your urine.
• If the urine turns dark red or dark brown.
• If you have a fever over 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) .
• If you feel cold and shivering.
• If the pain is getting worse.