Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Treatment in Turkey
About Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Key Highlights
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Highly effective for large kidney stones (typically 2 cm).Minimally invasive with smaller incisions than open surgery.Higher stone-free rates compared to shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for complex stones.Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.Allows direct visualization and removal of stone fragments.Can be performed using various energy sources (laser, ultrasonic) to break stones./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Large kidney stones (greater than 2 cm in diameter).
- Complex or branched stones, such as staghorn calculi.
- Stones that have failed treatment with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL).
- Stones located in the lower pole of the kidney with an unfavorable anatomy for other procedures.
- Patients with obesity where ESWL may be less effective.
- Kidney stones causing obstruction, severe pain, or recurrent infections.
- Abnormal kidney anatomy that prevents other stone removal methods.
How to prepare
- Complete medical evaluation, including blood tests, urine tests, and imaging (CT scan or IVP).
- Discussion of all medications; may need to stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) several days prior.
- Informed consent process detailing the procedure, risks, and benefits.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure as per anesthesia guidelines.
- Pre-operative antibiotics may be administered to prevent infection.
- Possible placement of a ureteral stent a week or two before PCNL in some cases to facilitate the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, which may rarely require a blood transfusion.
- Infection or sepsis.
- Injury to surrounding organs (e.g., colon, spleen, liver, lungs).
- Incomplete stone removal, requiring additional procedures.
- Leakage of urine from the kidney (urinoma).
- Formation of a tract between the kidney and skin (fistula).
- Reactions to anesthesia.
- Damage to the kidney or its collecting system.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically lasts 1-3 days for monitoring.
- A nephrostomy tube may be left in place temporarily to drain urine and blood; it is usually removed before discharge.
- Pain at the incision site is managed with prescribed medications.
- Patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids (2-3 liters daily) to help flush the system.
- Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and driving for 1-2 weeks post-procedure.
- Follow-up imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) is scheduled to confirm all stone fragments are cleared.
- Report any signs of fever, severe pain, or excessive bleeding to the doctor immediately.
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Typical hospital stay:
1-3 days
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 weeks for normal activities, 4-6 weeks for strenuous work
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Turkey include Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, Liv Hospital Ankara, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy. MediFyr helps you compare nephrologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for percutaneous nephrolithotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated nephrology teams and experience managing patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Instabul, Turkey
104 Doctors
Robert Das, a 58-year-old construction foreman,...
Robert Das, a 58-year-old construction foreman, had a history of small kidney stones he could pass with pain medication. This changed when a CT scan revealed a 2.5 cm staghorn calculus filling his left kidney. The large, branched stone caused constant dull flank pain, recurrent UTIs, and visible blood in his urine, severely impacting his ability to work. His nephrologist, Dr. Evans, explained that due to the stone's size and complex shape, shockwave therapy or ureteroscopy wouldn't be effective. He recommended a Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) to remove it in one procedure. Robert was terrified of the idea of a tube going through his back into his kidney. The procedure itself, under general anesthesia, went smoothly. He woke up with a nephrostomy tube, which was uncomfortable but manageable. After 24 hours, a follow-up X-ray showed the stone was completely gone, and the tube was removed. He spent one more night in the hospital for observation. At his two-week follow-up, he was pain-free, his urine was clear, and he was cleared for light duty. Emotionally, Robert moved from fear and frustration about his declining health to immense relief and gratitude. He felt he got his life and his strength back, no longer defined by constant pain.
Nephrologists for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
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