Management of Staghorn Stones Using a Combination of Lithotripsy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Solution R Irrigation

The treatment of staghorn and partial staghorn calculi remains complex despite modern methods of stone removal. We describe the results following treatment of 112 stones. Three methods were used: percutaneous nephrolithotomy, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and Solution R irrigation, either alone or in combination; 57 stones (55.8%) were completely cleared, with Solution R irrigation helping to achieve complete clearance in 6 of these. A further 24 stones were not completely cleared (small asymptomatic fragments less than 3 mm remained). A satisfactory outcome (stone-free or asymptomatic fragments less than 3 mm) was achieved in 81 stones (79%).