Outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with or without Nephrostomy Tube: A Comparative Study

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with or without nephrostomy tube. Materials & Methods: This prospective comparative study intended to compare the outcomes between PCNL without nephrostomy tube and PCNL with nephrostomy tube. A total of 50 cases of renal stone disease planned for PCNL in Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2015 to June 2017, were included in this study according to the statistical calculation. Cases were randomly allocated to group A (PCNL without nephrostomy tube) and group B (PCNL with nephrostomy tube). Each group consisted of 25 patients. The outcome variables were post operative pain, requirement of analgesic, leakage of urine and post operative hospital stay. Data were analyzed and compared by statistical tests. Results: No significant differences were found regarding age (p = 0.95), sex (p = 0.55) and operation time (p = 0.36) between two groups. Post operative pain (p < 0.0007) and analgesic requirement (p < 0.0001) were less in group A than group B cases. Leakage of urine is higher in group B in comparison to group A (p < 0.0001). Post operative hospital stay is shorter in group A than group B cases which is statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy without nephrostomy tube is better than percutaneous nephrolithotomy with nephrostomy tube in selective cases. It significantly reduces post operativepain, analgesic requirement and postoperative hospital stay. So percutaneous nephrolithotomy without nephrostomy tube is safe and effective.