PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)

Advanced PCNL Surgery for Large Kidney Stones

What is PCNL?

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the gold standard treatment for large kidney stones, staghorn calculi, and complex stone disease. The procedure involves creating a small tract through the skin directly into the kidney to remove stones.

At Pramodini Urology Foundation, more than 5,000 PCNL procedures have been successfully performed, making it one of the leading centers for endourology and kidney stone management.

Who Needs PCNL?

  • Large kidney stones (>2 cm)
  • Staghorn stones
  • Multiple kidney stones
  • Hard stones resistant to ESWL
  • Recurrent stone disease
  • Complex renal calculi

Our Experience

The foundation has successfully treated patients ranging from 1 year to 87 years of age with stones varying from 1 cm to 10 cm in size. Advanced Richard Wolf nephroscopes and modern endourological equipment help achieve excellent stone clearance rates.

Benefits of PCNL

  • High stone-free rates
  • Effective for very large stones
  • Minimally invasive
  • Reduced postoperative pain
  • Shorter recovery period
  • Better outcomes than open surgery

Advanced Stone Management

Apart from standard PCNL, our center performs:

  • Mini-PCNL
  • Ultra-Mini PCNL
  • Laser Stone Surgery
  • Flexible Ureteroscopy
  • RIRS

This comprehensive approach allows personalized treatment based on stone size, location, and patient factors.

Patient of Broken stent with left staghorn Stone cleared by PCNL
Left Large Renal Stone Cleared by PCNL
Bilateral staghorn Renal Stone – Single Sitting Bilateral PCNL – Total Clarence
Staghorn Stone cleared by PCNL
17cm Large Staghorn Rt Renal Stone Cleared by Pycloithotomy
Extracted Stones

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) – FAQs

What is PCNL?

PCNL is a minimally invasive surgery used to remove large kidney stones through a small incision in the back.

Who needs PCNL?

PCNL is recommended for large kidney stones, staghorn calculi, multiple stones, and complex stone disease.

Is PCNL a major surgery?

PCNL is less invasive than traditional open surgery and offers faster recovery.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure generally takes 1–3 hours depending on stone size and complexity.

What is the success rate of PCNL?

PCNL provides excellent stone clearance rates and is considered the gold standard for large kidney stones.

How long is the recovery period?

Most patients recover within 1–2 weeks and return to routine activities shortly thereafter.