Effects of dilatation types during percutaneous nephrolithotomy for less radiation exposure: a matched-pair pilot study

Summary Aim To evaluate exposure to radiation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) by comparing balloon-type renal dilatation (BTRD) and amplatz-type renal dilatation (ATRD). Materials and methods Retrospectively, 454 patients were documented and matched-pair analyses were performed. According to matched-paired criteria, in Group 1 ( n = 78) BTRDs were used and in Group 2 ( n = 78) ATRDs were used. Demographic, operative, and postoperative data including complications were recorded. Criteria for matched-pair analyses included age, gender, stone burden and localization, body mass index, presence of obstruction in intravenous urography, diabetes mellitus, previous extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and/or renal surgery even open and/or PCNL. Results The mean follow-up was 11.9 ± 1.1 months, and mean age was 44.8 ± 13.7 years. Time to provide accessing into kidney, total time of exposure to X-ray, and time of exposure to X-ray until accessing into kidney were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2 ( p < 0.003, 0.006, and 0.039, respectively). Conclusions BTRD may provide shorter exposure to radiation than ATRD for patients as well as operating room staff. Additionally, BTRD can provide rapid access into kidney than ATRD without significantly shorter operation time.