Re: Xu Y: Doppler ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy with two-step tract dilation for management of complex renal stones (Urology February 24, 2012 [Epub ahead of print])

摘要

We read the report by Xu et al with great interest. The authors present the results of 262 patients with complex renal stones treated with Doppler ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy with 2-step tract dilation. They achieved a comparable primary stone-free rate (80.9%) and overall complication rate (4.96%). Finally, they concluded that Doppler US-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy with 2-step tract dilation for complex renal stones is safe, effective, and worthy of wider use in clinical practice. It is obvious that the use of US or Doppler US as an imaging method during percutaneous nephrolithotomy has some advantages and these have been published in previous studies. However, some points of the study about the technique need to be addressed and clarified.