Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Üroloji Anabilim Dalı, Dr., Ankara
Hacettepe Ãœniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Ãœroloji Anabilim Dalı, Prof. Dr., Ankara In this study our aim is to evaluate the success of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) performed in patients aged 60 years and older. Retrospective review of 97 PNL procedures performed on 50 female and 42 male patients aged 60 years and older (mean 64,8) was compared with the data of the remaining 595 PNL procedures performed on younger patients in our clinic between December 1997- October 2002. The presence of complete staghorn calculi (17/97, 18 % v 105/595, 18 %; p= 0.577) and average stone size (623 mm² versus 739 mm², p > 0.05) were similar for two groups. Transfusion was necessary in 19 of 97 renal units (20 %) of older patients, and in 118 of 595 renalunit (20 %) of younger patients (p= 0.955). However the presence of solitary functioning kidney seem to be higher in the elderly group (10 % v 7 %), there was no statistical difference between two groups (p= 0,841). The success rates (stone-free patients and patients with residual stones< 4 mm) were similar, being 95 % for the elderly group and 96 % for the younger patients (p>0.05). No significant complication was observed in this elderly group. The stone-free rate in the elderly group was similar to that obtained in the younger patients, without any higher rates of complications or blood transfusions. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective method of stone treatment in the elderly, even if they have a solitary kidney or complex calculi. Keywords : Kidney calculi, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, lithotripsy, staghorn calculi, residual stone