The comparative analysis of the three dilatation techniques in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Which one is safer?

Objectives: Introduction of the "access sheath" is one of the most important steps of the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) intervention. In creating the access tract, various dilatators (balloon, metal) are used and different need-based dilatation tools were developed. In this study, we aimed to compare the mechanical Amplatz dilatation (AD), balloon dilatation (BD) and one-shot dilatation (OSD) methods in a retrospective manner. Methods: A total of 182 patients (127 males and 55 females), who underwent PNL surgery in Urology Department of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Research and Training Hospital between January 2016 and September 2018, were included in this study. Results: The average age was 47.34 +/- 12.68 years (age range 15-80) and average BMI was 27.15 +/- 5.01 kg/m(2) (range between 17.12 and 40.75 kg/m(2)). There was a prominent difference in terms of operation duration (p = 0.032). Meaningful difference was found among the groups in terms of dilation fluoroscopy time (p = 0.001), with a notable shorter time in OSD group than the others (p < 0.05). Beside this, there was no difference between the AD and BD groups in terms of fluoroscopy times (p > 0.05). Also, there was no difference among the groups by Clavien complication rate (p > 0.05). There was a prominent difference among the groups in terms of hemoglobin decrement (p = 0.012; p < 0.05). The hemoglobin decrease in OSD group was significantly lower than in AD and BD groups (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). On the contrary, there was no meaningful difference between AD and BD groups with this regard (p > 0.05). Conclusions: As a result, we have concluded that the use of OSD modality in PNL interventions could be superior to other methods with respect to its feasibility, cost-effectiveness, shorter radiation exposure / fluoroscopy time and it could be a preferable way of treatment especially in developing countries.