What are percutaneous nephrological technique (PCNL) and ureteroscopic technique?

  Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) has completely replaced traditional open stone extraction surgery as an advanced method for the treatment of kidney stones and upper ureteral stones. Through a combination of percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureteroscopic stone extraction and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, almost all renal ureteral stones can be eliminated from open surgery. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure in which a 0.5-1 cm channel is manually punctured and dilated on the surface of the kidney, a stone is found under direct vision with an endoscope, and the stone is crushed and removed with pneumatic ballast or laser, or the pelvic ureteral junction is incised and dilated. Most PNLs can be performed in one stage, i.e., the stones are crushed and removed in one operation, which has the advantage of one operation, one anesthesia, less pain and shorter hospital stay. The disadvantages are bleeding and poor visualization. It is suitable for: those with combined infection and post-renal insufficiency; those with bleeding tendency; those with serious bleeding in the first stage operation; those with residual stones after the first stage or open surgery; the advantage is that the sinus tract has been formed, less bleeding and clear vision. The second stage of surgery can be performed without anesthesia. Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrological technique (MPCNL) is a modified percutaneous nephrological method to reduce the diameter of the nephrostomy channel and remove the stone by ureteroscopy. The specific type of procedure to be adopted is decided by the surgeon according to the condition and intraoperative situation.  Ureteroscopy is an endoscope that is placed through the natural body channel such as the urethral bladder to perform various operations such as ureteral and intrarenal tissue biopsy, lithotripsy, electrocautery and endoureteral stenosis incision. It is mainly used to treat stones, polyps or strictures in the middle and lower ureter, and can also be used to diagnose diseases such as renal pelvis and ureteral tumors; there are two types of ureteroscopes: rigid ureteroscope and soft ureteroscope. Ureteroscopy has been favored by physicians and patients for its non-incisional, less invasive and faster recovery, and has played an increasing role in the treatment of ureteral diseases, especially ureteral calculi.  After percutaneous nephroscopy and ureteroscopy, the ureteral double J tube is usually left in place and usually needs to be removed after 4-6 weeks by appointment at the outpatient clinic.  The department has three sets of German Wolf and Japanese Olympus nephroscopes and ureteroscopes, and three sets of Holmium laser and Swiss EMS third-generation ultrasonic suction pneumatic ballast lithotripsy equipment. We perform percutaneous nephrolithoscopy and ureteroscopy nearly 500 times a year, with strong technical force and rich clinical experience.