Objective: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure that is now routinely used to treat large and complex renal stones. Since first described by Frenstorm and Johanson, many advances to the surgical technique were developed including the lithotripters used to fragment and remove stones. In this study we compared the efficacy and safety of PCNL using pneumatic and ultrasonic lithotripsy..

Methods: the study was carried in Prince Hussein Bin Abdallah the II Center of urology and organ transplantation. Two groups of patients who underwent PCNL between July 2013 and June 2014 were compared. Group A ,50 patients, underwent PCNL using pneumatic lithotripsy. And group B, 53 patients underwent PCNL using ultrasonic lithotripsy. The 2 groups were compared in terms of stone size, location, operative time, hospital stay, blood loss and stone free rats.

Results: there were no significant differences in stone size, location or stone free rates. But the  ultrasonic lithotripsy group (group B) had significantly lower operative time, number of hospital days and average blood loss.

Conclusion: PCNL is a safe procedure, and the use of ultrasonic lithotripsy significantly decreased operative time, hospital stay and blood loss.