Supine PCNL is the Way Forward, with Reduced Anesthesia and Operative Times As Compared to Prone PCNL, Along with Comparable Blood Loss and Stone Free Rates

Objective:The aim of this study is to compare safety and efficacy of supine versus prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in terms of stonefree rate, operative time, anesthesia time and blood loss in a retrospective case-control trial.Materials and Methods:Fifty patients underwent supine PCNL during the study period (group A). Equal number of patients, who underwent prone PCNL during same period with similar demographic and clinical attributes, were taken as controls (group B). Demographic details, such as gender and age, and body mass index, stone size, stone location and stone laterality were comparable between the two groups. Pre- and post-operative hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients in both groups were tabulated. Variables analyzed to compare the groups included operative time, anesthesia time, fall in Hb, blood transfusion, stone clearance and need for auxiliary procedure.Results:The median operative time (minutes) in patients of group A [35; interquartile ratio (IQR): 25], was significantly different from group B (70; IQR: 40) (p=0.000). The median anesthesia time (minutes) in patients in group A (50; IQR: 25) was significantly different from group B (85; 45) (p=0.000). The median fall in Hb (g/dL) in patients in group A (1.700; IQR: 1.2) was significantly different from group B (1.200; IQR: 2.4) (p=0.967). Two patients in group A and 7 in group B needed blood transfusion (p=0.080). Thirty two patient in group A and 34 in group B achieved stonefree status (p=0.833). Eleven patients in group A and 6 in group B needed auxiliary procedure in the form of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (p=0.287).Conclusion:Supine PCNL is as safe and effective as conventionally performed prone PCNL, with an added benefit of decreased operative and anesthesia time

Preventing Excessive Blood Loss During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy by Using Tranexamic Acid: A Double Blinded Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is most frequently performed procedure for renal stones 2 cm and larger. Perioperative hemorrhage being most common complication, warrants as important predicting factor of adverse outcomes. Prevention with inexpensive and safe drug like tranexamic acid (TA) would ultimately turn out to be cornerstone for establishing future guidelines. Aim of this study is to evaluate whether TA is efficacious in preventing blood loss during PCNL. Materials and Methods: Ethical review board approval taken. Sample size calculation yielded 240 patients, comprising 120 in each group. Group A receiving TA and group B receiving placebo. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), stone size, volume and location, preoperative blood count, creatinine, urine analysis, coagulation profile and necessary radiological investigations done. Randomization through lottery method. Both patient and investigator were blinded. Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels done at 24 hours postoperatively and fall in values recorded. Results: Both groups were equal in characteristics like age, gender, BMI, stone size, volume and location (p>0.05). Operative variables like calyx punctured, position of puncture and operative time were also found to be similar in both groups. Median change in Hb in placebo group was 1.6 interquartile range (IQR) 4, while in TA group was 1.3 (IQR 7.8) (p=0.001). Similarly, median change in Hct level in placebo group was 3.6 (IQR 11.8) and in TA group was 2.4 (IQR 13) (p<0.001). Sixteen patients were transfused after surgery; 12 (75%) belonged to placebo group while 4 (25%) belonged to TA group (p=0.038). Hospital stay was not significantly different in both groups (p=0.177) with median of 4.0 and IQR of 0 in both groups. Conclusion: TA during PCNL reduces blood loss and minimizes blood transfusion rate