Dr. Manpreet SinghConsultant Urologist, Andrologist, Urooncologist, Robotic and Renal Transplant SurgeonPlan a consultation
Procedure libraryPCNLUNDERSTANDING PCNL

PCNL, explained.
One step at a time.

A small access tract through the skin of the back or side allows instruments to treat larger or complex kidney stones.

Stone care · A visual guide

PCNLPercutaneous nephrolithotomy

A small access tract through the skin of the back or side allows instruments to treat larger or complex kidney stones.

PCNL / EXPLAINEDExplore at your pace
Through a small skin opening
PCNL: Create a direct access route.Simplified educational illustration, not to scale. Coral marks kidney or prostate tissue, violet the bladder, blue the ureter and mint the urethra. Labels and the accompanying explanation describe each stage.SkinMAGNIFIED VIEWLocate the stoneKidneyUreterBladderUrethra
01AccessStone inside the kidneySimplified anatomy
Not to scale
STEP 01 / 04

Create a direct access route.

Under anaesthesia and imaging guidance, a small tract is made through the back or side into the kidney.

The side entry is the key difference from URSL and RIRS.

1 / 4

You control the pace. Pause or choose any step.

General education to support your consultation. Your surgeon will explain suitability, alternatives and individual risks.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Recovery is personal.

Hospital stay, drain removal and return to activity depend on the stone and your recovery.

Risks to discuss. Discuss bleeding, infection or sepsis, nearby-organ injury and the possibility of further treatment.

Read the four-step explanationText version

  1. Create a direct access route.

    Under anaesthesia and imaging guidance, a small tract is made through the back or side into the kidney.

  2. Break the stone into pieces.

    A telescope enters through the tract. A laser, ultrasound or another instrument breaks the stone.

  3. Clear pieces through the tract.

    Fragments are removed with instruments or suction through the access sheath.

  4. Check drainage and recovery.

    A temporary kidney drainage tube or ureteric stent may be used. Follow-up assesses recovery and stone clearance.

Patient information sourcesBAUS: PCNL patient leaflet (PDF)

After a procedure, fever, severe pain, inability to pass urine or heavy bleeding needs urgent medical assessment. Follow your hospital’s discharge instructions.

PROCEDURES, MADE CLEARER

See the approach.
Understand your options.

Explore gentle, step-by-step animations of stone, prostate and urethral procedures.

Explore all seven guides
Stone care

URSL

Ureteroscopic lithotripsy

Explore the animation Stone care

RIRS

Retrograde intrarenal surgery

Explore the animation Stone care

PCNL

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Explore the animation
LET’S TAKE THE NEXT STEP

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Yashoda Hospital, Somajiguda · Hyderabad