Symptoms Addressed

• Severe flank or abdominal pain

• Blood in urine (hematuria)

• Frequent urinary tract infections

• Nausea, vomiting, or fever in case of infection

• Kidney damage due to obstruction

Procedure Overview

1. Pre-operative Assessment

   • Blood tests, renal function tests, imaging (CT, X-ray, ultrasound)

   • Evaluation for anesthesia and overall fitness

2. Surgical Procedure

   • Performed under general anesthesia

   • Small incision (~1 cm) is made in the back

   • A tract is created into the kidney using imaging guidance

   • Stones are fragmented and removed using specialized instruments

   • A nephrostomy tube may be temporarily placed for drainage

3. Post-operative Care

   • Hospital stay: 2–4 days

   • Pain management, fluid monitoring, and wound care

   • Gradual return to normal diet and activity

   • Follow-up imaging to ensure complete stone clearance

Benefits of PCNL

• Minimally invasive with small incision

• Effective for large and complex kidney stones

• High stone clearance rates compared to ESWL

• Reduced recovery time compared to open surgery

• Can be repeated for recurrent stones

PCNL Cost in India

Table 1: Average PCNL Cost in India

Factors Affecting Cost

1. Size and complexity of stones – Larger or multiple stones increase cost

2. Hospital facilities and city – Advanced urology centers may charge more

3. Patient health – Comorbidities or complications may require extended care

4. Procedure type – Standard PCNL vs mini-PCNL or supine PCNL

5. Follow-up care – Imaging, medications, and nephrostomy management

Who Should Consider PCNL?

• Patients with large, complex, or recurrent kidney stones

• Individuals whose stones cannot be treated with ESWL or ureteroscopy

• Patients referred by urologists or nephrologists

• Suitable for adults and selected pediatric patients depending on stone size