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A fine needle is guided into the kidney under live X-ray or ultrasound, and the tract is gently widened to about 1 cm.
Large kidney stone removal by Dr. Avijit Kumar, published author on spine PCNL technique.
PCNL surgery in Kanpur for large kidney stones is performed by Dr. Avijit Kumar, a published author on spine PCNL technique in the Journal of Urology. He is an MCh urologist practising at Smt Ramkali Memorial Nursing Home, Pandu Nagar, Kakadeo, Kanpur with over 17 years of surgical experience.
Some kidney stones are simply too large for laser or shock wave treatment. When a stone grows beyond 2 cm, or when it spreads into the branching shape of a staghorn calculus that fills the collecting system, the most effective treatment is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, or PCNL.
This is the procedure that clears even the most stubborn stones in a single sitting, and it is one of Dr. Avijit Kumar's areas of published expertise.
Dr. Kumar co-authored a UROSCAN publication in the Journal of Urology on spine PCNL, a refined positioning approach to the procedure. For patients in Kanpur facing a large or complex kidney stone, that level of focused expertise is available locally at Pandu Nagar.
Overview
PCNL is a minimally invasive procedure to remove large kidney stones through a small tract created directly into the kidney. Under imaging guidance, a passage about 1 cm wide is made through the skin of the back into the kidney.
A nephroscope is passed through this tract, the stone is broken using laser or pneumatic energy, and the fragments are removed directly. Unlike open surgery, there is no large incision and no muscle cutting.
PCNL is often preferred when stones are too large, too hard or too complex for ESWL or RIRS to clear effectively.
Indications
Dr. Kumar recommends PCNL in specific situations where other treatments would be less effective:
Procedure
The procedure is carried out under general or spinal anaesthesia and typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.
A fine needle is guided into the kidney under live X-ray or ultrasound, and the tract is gently widened to about 1 cm.
A nephroscope is inserted, and the stone is broken into pieces using laser or pneumatic energy.
The fragments are extracted directly, allowing the kidney to be cleared efficiently.
A small nephrostomy tube may be left for about 24 hours to allow the kidney to drain and heal.
Benefits
PCNL removes even very large stones completely, often in a single procedure.
A 1 cm tract replaces the large incision of open surgery.
Most patients are discharged within 2 to 3 days, depending on recovery and stone complexity.
Return to normal activity is far quicker than after open stone surgery.
No large wound means significantly less post-operative discomfort.
PCNL is suited to large, branching, hard or recurrent stones that simpler methods may not clear.
Why Choose Us
Most patients stay in hospital for two to three days after PCNL. Mild discomfort at the small entry site on the back is managed with simple painkillers.
Light activity resumes within a few days, and most people return to work within a week. Follow-up imaging confirms the kidney is stone-free.
Local Access
Address: Smt Ramkali Memorial Nursing Home, 117-H-2/184, Pandu Nagar, Kakadeo, Kanpur 208005
Phone: +91-9235652646
Serving: Pandu Nagar, Kakadeo, Kidwai Nagar, Govind Nagar, Civil Lines, Unnao and Kanpur Dehat.
For smaller stones treated with laser or shock wave, read the kidney stone treatment page. For other minimally invasive procedures, visit the laparoscopic urology page.
Bring CT scan, ultrasound, urine reports, kidney function tests and previous stone treatment records if available.
Call +91-9235652646FAQ
Yes. PCNL is a safe and effective method for clearing large kidney stones over 2 cm and staghorn calculi when performed with proper imaging guidance by an experienced surgeon.
Most patients stay in hospital for 2 to 3 days and return to desk work within about a week. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for two to three weeks.
Most stones are cleared completely in a single PCNL session. For very large or complex staghorn stones, a second look procedure is occasionally needed to remove residual fragments.
PCNL leaves only a small scar about 1 cm long at the entry point on the back, which fades over time. This is a major advantage over open stone surgery.
The cost of PCNL depends on stone size, hospital stay, imaging and any implants used. Most health insurance policies cover PCNL as it is a standard surgical treatment for kidney stones.
Book Appointment
Smt Ramkali Memorial Nursing Home, 117-H-2/184, Pandu Nagar, Kakadeo, Kanpur 208005