RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To compare the success and complication rates of sonography-guided supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) versus prone standard technique (fluoroscopic guidance) in a randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between April 2009 and August 2011, 92 candidates for PCNL were randomly divided into two groups: 46 B-mode sonography-guided supine PCNL (group A) and 46 standard fluoroscopic-guided prone PCNL (group B). Demographic, clinical and perioperative patient characteristics were analyzed, and complications and success rates were compared between the two approaches. RESULTS: Preoperative parameters were comparable in the two groups. The primary success rate was 79.0 and 65.2% in groups A and B, respectively, after one session of PCNL (p = 0.485). Sonography-guided access failed in 3 cases (failure rate 6.5% in group A vs. 0% in group B). Mean hospital stay (2.48 days for group A vs. 2.95 days for group B; p = 0.039) and mean nephrostomy tube stay time (1.79 days for group A vs. 2.56 days for group B; p = 0.007) were significantly prolonged in the standard technique. Postoperative fever was more prevalent in the standard PCNL group (p = 0.024), but no significant difference was observed in other complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, sonography-guided supine PCNL was presented as a safe and effective technique, similar to standard PCNL, with comparable success and complication rates. In addition, using this technique eliminates the possible harmful impacts of radiation on the surgical team and decreases postoperative fever.