Reduced fluoroscopy protocol for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy: Feasibility, outcomes and effects on fluoroscopy time

Purpose: Radiation exposure from fluoroscopy during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy contributes to patient overall exposure, which may be significant. We compared fluoroscopy times and treatment outcomes before and after implementing a reduced fluoroscopy protocol during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients treated with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy at a single academic institution by a single surgeon. We compared 40 patients treated before implementation of a reduced fluoroscopy protocol to 40 post-protocol patients. The reduced protocol included visual and tactile cues, fixed lowered mAs and kVp, a laser guided C-arm and designated fluoroscopy technician, and single pulse per second fluoroscopy. Preoperative characteristics, fluoroscopy and operative time, complications and treatment success were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in body mass index, stone size, success rate, operative time or complications between the groups. After protocol implementation fluoroscopy time decreased from 175.6 to 33.7 seconds (p <0.001). A longer average hospital stay was seen in the pre-protocol group (3.9 vs 3.6 days, p = 0.027). Stays greater than 2 days were associated with a body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m2 on multivariate analysis. No complication in either group was attributable to fluoroscopic technique. Conclusions: Implementing a decreased fluoroscopy protocol during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy resulted in an 80.9% reduction in fluoroscopy time while maintaining success rates, operative times and complications similar to those of the conventional technique. Adopting this reduced fluoroscopy protocol safely decreased radiation exposure to patients, surgeons and operating room staff during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.