Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and Nephrolithotripsy are both used to remove kidney stones.
For kidney stones larger than 2 centimeters in size or for hard stones, the more invasive but extremely effective therapy called Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is generally recommended.
Both procedures performed under general anesthesia and the surgeon accesses the kidney through a small incision in the back and threads a Nephroscope (a miniature fiberoptic camera) and other small instruments through the hole.
Ultrasonic, electrohydraulic, or laser fragmentation of the stone can then be performed through the nephroscope under direct vision.
Breaks up the stone first before removing it (Nephrolithotripsy)
A plastic tube (called a nephrostomy tube) is temporarily left in the kidney, exiting the flank in order to optimize drainage of the urine from the kidney following PCNL.