Should percutaneous nephrolithotripsy be considered the primary therapy for lower pole stones?

Purpose: The efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) as a primary therapy for the treatment of lower pole caliceal lithiasis was determined.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed 144 consecutive files of patients, over a period of 10 years, with noncomplicated lower pole calculi, who underwent PCNL after a single unsuccessful session of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL).

Results: The stone-free rate for stones less than 10 mm was 95%.