Stones: Can the Guy's stone score predict PNL outcomes?

摘要

Thomas and colleagues1 have reported a novel scoring system (the "Guy's stone score") for grading the "complexity" of percutaneous nephrolithomy (PNL) in order to preoperatively predict the likelihood of a stone-free outcome. Their study is notable because there are currently no predictive models in clinical practice for this purpose. The effort to stratify patients based on the likelihood of a stone-free outcome is worthwhile, as this is the most rigorous end point for PNL success. Anticipating which patients are likely to have residual stone burden, those who may need staged procedures or who may be candidates for an alternative approach would inform both patient counseling as well as clinical decision making.