Percutaneous renal surgery with minimal access: miniperc

To describe the technique of the minimal access percutaneous nephrolithectomy, miniperc, and to analyze the results obtained with this treatment in adult patients. We performed 42 minipercs between august 2002 and December 2003. Mean patient age was 48 years (19-62). The procedure was undertaken using a 14Fr Amplatz sheath. Stone size varied from 1.5-3.5 cm in longest diameter (1.5-7 cm2). Lithofragmentation was performed by pneumatic lithotripsy. Average procedure time was 75.2 min. (range from 60 to 120). All patients were discharged within 24 hours. Only three patients (7.1%) have a hematocrit descent over 2 points. No nephrostomy tube was left for the postoperative time. 95.2% of the patients were stone free 1 month after surgery. Our results make us consider the minimal access percutaneous nephrolithectomy (Miniperc) a minimal option for the elimination of renal stones, with low morbidity, diminishment of the hospital stays, very low analgesic demand, and no transfusion requirements.