Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
What is PCNL?
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a surgical procedure to remove large or complex kidney stones by accessing the kidney directly through a small incision in the back. It’s more invasive than ESWL but highly effective for stones that are too large or hard for non-surgical methods. In India, PCNL is performed in urology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need PCNL?
PCNL is indicated for:
- Kidney stones:
- Large stones (>20 mm) or staghorn calculi (branched stones filling renal pelvis; 10–20% of complex stones).
- Stones resistant to ESWL (e.g., cystine, hard calcium oxalate; ESWL success drops to 50–60% for >20 mm).
- Stones causing obstruction, infection, or recurrent pain.
- Incidence in India: 5–15% lifetime risk; higher in North India (hot climates, dietary factors).
- Contraindications:
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders, active UTI (must be treated first), or pregnancy.
- Associated treatments:
- Pre-op: Ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube (if obstruction or infection).
- Post-op: Double-J stent to aid drainage; stone analysis to guide prevention.
- Timing:
- Performed in adults (average age 30–50 years for kidney stones); urgency depends on symptoms (e.g., infection, severe pain).
The procedure aims to remove large stones directly, relieve obstruction, and prevent complications like infection or kidney damage, with a high success rate for complex stones.
Why Do PCNL Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh:
- Procedure Complexity: Standard PCNL (₹50,000–₹1 lakh); complex/staghorn stones (₹1–2 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹1–2 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹20,000–₹50,000, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced urologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), imaging (₹5,000–₹10,000), medications/stents (₹5,000–₹15,000).
- Insurance: Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider.
PCNL Procedure
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Imaging: CT or X-ray (IVP) to map stone size, location, and kidney anatomy (e.g., calyceal access).
- Urine test: Checks for infection (UTI treated pre-op).
- Blood tests: Kidney function (creatinine), blood sugar, clotting profile.
- Preparation: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; antibiotics pre-op; fasting 6 hours.
- Consent: Risks, including bleeding, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Procedure Technique:
- PCNL:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–3 hours.
- Process:
- Patient positioned prone (face down); fluoroscopy or ultrasound used to guide access.
- Small incision (1 cm) in back; needle inserted into kidney (percutaneous access to renal pelvis).
- Tract dilated to 1–1.5 cm; nephroscope (camera) inserted to visualize stones.
- Stones fragmented (ultrasonic or laser lithotripsy) and removed with forceps or suction.
- Double-J stent or nephrostomy tube placed to ensure drainage; tract closed or left with tube.
- Completion: Stones sent for analysis; X-ray confirms clearance.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Nephroscope: Visualizes stones.
- Laser/ultrasonic lithotripter: Breaks stones.
- Fluoroscopy: Guides needle placement.
- PCNL:
- After Procedure:
- Hospital stay: 2–4 days.
- Care: Nephrostomy tube (if placed) removed in 1–2 days; Double-J stent removed in 2–4 weeks.
- Pain management: Moderate pain for 3–5 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., diclofenac).
- Instructions: Drink 2–3 liters of water daily; avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks.
Recovery After PCNL
- Hospital Stay: 2–4 days.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Pain: Moderate pain for 3–5 days (back/flank); resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Urine: Blood-tinged urine (hematuria) for 3–5 days; clears with hydration.
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks; light activities in 3–5 days.
- Tubes: Nephrostomy tube removed in 1–2 days; Double-J stent removed in 2–4 weeks (may cause mild discomfort).
- Diet: Hydrate (2–3 liters/day); low-sodium, low-oxalate diet to prevent recurrence.
- Follow-Up:
- Visit at 1 week (check healing), 2–4 weeks (stent removal), and 3 months (confirm clearance).
- Imaging: X-ray or ultrasound at 1 month to ensure stone-free status (90–95% clearance rate).
Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Success rate: 90–95% stone clearance for large stones; 5–10% may need additional procedures (e.g., ESWL for residual fragments).
Risks and Complications
- Procedure Risks:
- Bleeding (5–10%): During tract creation; may need transfusion (1–3%) or embolization (rare, <1%).
- Infection (3–5%): Sepsis risk if pre-op UTI untreated; managed with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
- Post-Procedure:
- Urine leak (1–3%): From kidney puncture; usually resolves with stent or nephrostomy tube.
- Injury to nearby organs (1–2%): Colon, spleen (rare); may need surgical repair.
- Residual fragments (5–10%): Small fragments may remain; may need ESWL or ureteroscopy.
- Hydronephrosis (1–2%): Obstruction from clot or fragment; managed with stent.
- Long-Term:
- Recurrence (30–50%): Stones recur within 5–10 years; needs dietary changes and monitoring.
- Kidney function decline (<1%): Minimal impact if no complications; monitor creatinine.
Report fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or decreased urine output promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for PCNL?
Large kidney stones (>20 mm), staghorn calculi, or stones resistant to ESWL causing pain, obstruction, or infection.
Can I avoid PCNL?
Yes, if smaller stones: ESWL or ureteroscopy; PCNL needed for large or complex stones.
Is PCNL painful?
Moderate pain for 3–5 days, managed with medication; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: 3–5 days; full recovery: 4–6 weeks; avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks.
Is PCNL covered by insurance in India?
Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, or decreased urine output.
Will all stones be removed in one session?
Usually: 90–95% clearance in one session; 5–10% may need additional procedures for residual fragments.
Lifestyle changes post-procedure?
Hydrate (2–3 liters/day), reduce salt/oxalate intake, monitor for recurrence, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
PCNL is a highly effective procedure for removing large kidney stones, with a high success rate and manageable recovery. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach it confidently. Consult a urologist for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for PCNL
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aligarh |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Allahabad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Amritsar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Aurangabad |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bangalore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Belgaum |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bhopal |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Bikaner |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Delhi |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Durgapur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Faridabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Guntur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Gwalior |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jabalpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jaipur |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jamshedpur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Jodhpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kanpur |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Kochi |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Lucknow |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Mangalore |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Meerut |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Moradabad |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mumbai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Nashik |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Pune |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Rajkot |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Ranchi |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Surat |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Varanasi |
80,000 |
2,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
90,000 |
2,25,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.