Quality of life after percutaneous nephrolithotomy for caliceal diverticulum and secluded lower-pole renal stones.

Background And Purpose: The treatment of caliceal diverticulum and deeply secluded lower-pole stones is challenging, and the indications are controversial. This study assessed the changes in the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for symptomatic caliceal diverticula and deep lower-pole calculi to determine whether there is a change in the "bother factor" in order to improve treatment strategies for this group of patients.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two patients undergoing PCNL were evaluated prospectively using the SF36 QoL questionnaire before and 6 weeks after PCNL.