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Urology Associates of Cape Cod — home

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

PCNL is the operation for kidney stones too large or numerous to treat through the urinary tract. Through a small incision in your back, your surgeon reaches the kidney directly and removes the stones. It typically involves a hospital stay of one to two nights.

Important: your printed instructions are specific to you — if anything differs, follow your sheet or call (508) 771-9550, ext. 104.

Prints exactly what's on this page — or choose "Save as PDF" in the print window to keep a copy on your device.

What to expect

  • The universal pre-op rules apply: fasting after midnight, medication holds on schedule, and a driver arranged — see Preparing for Surgery.
  • Depending on how your kidney needs to drain while healing, you may briefly have a small tube from the kidney (nephrostomy tube) or an internal stent; your care team will show you exactly how to manage whichever you have before you leave the hospital.
  • Some discomfort in your back and side, and pink-tinged urine, are expected in the first days.
  • Your printed instructions and follow-up plan come from our surgical coordinator, and stent or tube removal is scheduled through the office.

Preventing the next stone

Half the battle with stones is stopping the next one. After you've healed, we offer a metabolic evaluation and build a real prevention plan — see our kidney stone page for how that works.

Call us if…

  • Fever over 100°F or chills
  • Pain your medication isn't controlling
  • Urine so bloody you can't see through it, or clots that make it hard to urinate
  • You can't keep food or fluids down

(508) 771-9550 — after hours, the answering service reaches the physician on call. For emergencies, call 911.