Over 2000 Epidural Anesthesias for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy - a Retrospective Analysis

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is a renal lithiasis treatment. It is usually two staged: it begins in the lithotomy position for ureteral catheter placement and retrograde pyelography and, subsequently, an optimal renal access is obtained in the prone position. In most of the centers, the PNL is done under general anesthesia (GA) that is associated with a risk of complications due to putting an intubated, muscle-relaxed, unconscious patient in a prone position. In our Department the procedure is usually performed under epidural anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidural anesthesia performed for PNL over the last decade in the Medical University of Warsaw Urology Department