Purpose: We studied the role of open surgery versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of complete staghorn stones in a prospective randomized manner. Materials and Methods: A total of 79 patients with 88 complete staghorn stones, defined as filling the entire collecting system or at least 80% of it, were prospectively randomized for PCNL (43) or open surgery (45). Intraoperative and postoperative morbidity, operative time, hospital stay, and stone clearance at discharge home and followup were compared for both methods. Patients with significant residuals in both groups were subjected to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) on an outpatient basis. Followup was completed for all cases with a mean duration ± SD of 4.9 ± 2.5 months (range 3 to 14). Renal function was evaluated by 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine renogram before and after treatment in both groups. Results: Intraoperative complications in terms of bleeding requiring blood transfusion, and pleural, vascular or ureteral injuries were recorded in 7 patients (16.3%) in the PCNL and 17 (37.8%) in the open surgery groups, a difference of significant value (p < 0.05). Major postoperative complications including massive hematuria requiring blood transfusion, septicemia, urinary leakage and wound infection were observed in 8 patients (18.6%) in the PCNL group and in 14 (31.1%) in the open surgery group, a difference of no significant value. PCNL was associated with shorter operative time (127 ± 30 vs 204 ± 31 minutes, p <0.001), shorter hospital stay (6.4 ± 4.2 vs 10 ± 4.2 days, p < 0.001) and earlier return to work (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 4.1 ± 1 weeks, p < 0.001). On the other hand both treatment groups were comparable in regard to stone-free rates at discharge home (49% vs 66%) and at followup (74% vs 82%). At followup renal function improved or remained stable in 91% and 86.7% in the PCNL and open surgery groups, respectively. Conclusions: PCNL is a valuable treatment option for complete staghorn stones with a stone-free rate approaching that of open surgery. Moreover, it has the advantages of lower morbidity, shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay and earlier return to work.
