A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Previously Placed Nephrostomy Tract and Single Stage Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Its Effects on Infection and Bleeding Related Complications

We seek to identify whether the placement of a nephrostomy tract prior to surgery versus at the time of PCNL will: 1. decrease blood loss and related complications, and 2. decrease infection-related complications by providing the ability to an accurate collection of urine for culture and initiating appropriate antibiotic treatment prior to definitive stone management. In addition, we seek to determine whether renal puncture under fluoroscopic vs ultrasonic guidance is associated with less blood loss. Although retrospective studies have shown some benefit to placing the nephrostomy tube prior to surgery in terms of decreased blood loss, there are no well-designed, prospective studies comparing the two treatment approaches. We seek to determine which treatment approach is safer, more efficacious, and more cost-effective through a prospective, randomized trial.