If you require surgery for complex, medium-to-large kidney stones (typically up to 2.5 cm), Micro PCNL—also known as Microperc—is the modern solution that is revolutionizing treatment. This procedure combines the benefits of traditional surgical effectiveness with cutting-edge miniaturization, offering patients in Chandigarh region superior outcomes.
The goal of Micro-PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) is simple: achieve complete stone clearance while drastically reducing the surgical impact. By reducing the access tract size, we effectively reduce the invasiveness of the procedure and potential complications compared to standard stone surgeries.
What sets Microperc apart is its needle-sized precision. The foundational principle is the reduction in the size of the access tract. Unlike standard PCNL, which uses instruments up to 30 Fr, the Micro PCNL procedure is performed through an ultra-fine 4.85-Fr (16 gauge) tract—a needle-sized entry point.
This technique utilizes the innovative concept of the ‘All-seeing needle’. The optical needle provides real-time visualization, allowing for a precise, single-step renal access procedure, which results in a shorter insertion time. This advanced system eliminates the risk of traversing vital structures, thus providing a novel standard of obtaining renal access. The underlying hypothesis of the technique is that if the initial access is perfect, then the tract-related morbidity can be substantially reduced.
Micro PCNL offers distinct advantages over traditional stone removal methods:
Superior to ESWL: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) has the major disadvantage of having unpredictable results, often failing to break apart large or very hard stones. Micro PCNL bypasses this limitation, offering guaranteed, immediate stone removal.
Faster Healing than Standard PCNL: Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is invasive due to its large tract size. By contrast, Micro-PCNL's minuscule 4.85 FR tract dramatically reduces tissue damage, minimizing pain, bleeding risk, and need for post-operative tubes.
Effective for Complex Stones: While Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is excellent for smaller stones, Microperc is often the more cost-effective and superior solution for fragmented or larger stones (up to 2.5 cm) where rapid, complete clearance is required in one session.
The clinical advantages translate directly into significant benefits for the patient:
Reduced Postoperative Pain: The extremely small incision means less tissue damage and faster, less painful healing.
Lower Complication Rates: The precise and single-step access contributes to a reduced risk of bleeding and infection compared to larger-scale surgeries.
Speedy Recovery: The reduced invasiveness means patients can often return home within 1–2 days and resume their regular activities much quicker than with standard stone surgeries.
High Efficacy: Despite the miniature instruments, the sophisticated equipment ensures excellent visibility and successful stone fragmentation and removal.
The success of Microperc makes it the procedure of choice for several complex scenarios:
Kidney stones that are larger than 1.5 cm but smaller than 2.5 cm.
Stones located in difficult areas, such as the lower pole of the kidney.
Stones that have previously failed to break apart after multiple sessions of ESWL.
Patients with anatomical challenges that require a highly precise, low-trauma approach.
Successfully performing highly specialized procedures like Micro-PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) requires specific training and continuous investment in miniature surgical equipment.
Dr. Rajan Sharma and the team at The Optimum Clinic are dedicated to providing patients in Mohali and surrounding areas with treatment that maximizes stone clearance while minimizing risk. By choosing the specialized approach of Micro PCNL, we ensure that you receive the most precise and least invasive treatment available, leading to optimal urological health and the quickest possible return to your daily life
