A prospective randomized comparison of type of nephrostomy drainage following percutaneous nephrostolithotomy: large bore versus small bore versus tubeless.

Purpose: We compared postoperative outcomes among tubeless, conventional large bore nephrostomy drainage and small bore nephrostomy drainage following percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) in a prospective randomized fashion.

Materials And Methods: Between January and June 2001, 30 patients undergoing PCNL were randomized to receive conventional large bore (20Fr) nephrostomy drainage (group 1, 10 patients), small bore (9Fr) nephrostomy drainage (group 2, 10 patients) or no nephrostomy drainage (group 3, 10 patients). Inclusion criteria included a single subcostal tract, uncomplicated procedure, normal preoperative renal function and complete stone clearance.