BACKGROUND:

Due to advances made in the equipment and surgical techniques of endourology over the last two decades, the majority of surgeries for treating stone disease are minimally invasive procedures. In addition, a wide range of options for the management of complications derived from the use of external material, such as double-J catheters, is now available.

CLINICAL CASE:

A 35-year-old woman presented with colicky pain in the left renal fossa that radiated into the ipsilateral flank, as well as unmeasured fever, dysuria, and hematuria. The evaluation protocol revealed bilateral kidney stones with left hydronephrosis, for which a double-J catheter was placed. One year later, the catheter was completely calcified. Endoscopic bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy and lithotripsy at the distal portion of the catheter were performed with no incidents. Both nephrostomy catheters were removed 1 week after the procedure and the double-J catheter was removed 15 days later. Control tomography confirmed the stone-free rate. The patient is currently asymptomatic, with adequate micturition.

CONCLUSIONS:

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the supine position offers important advantages to both the patient and the surgeon. The choice of approach and the position utilized for kidney puncture should be individualized for each case.

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