Endoscopic dilation using two guidewires: a novel approach for establishing access tract during percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonographic guidance

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel endoscopic dilation (END) method during percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonographic guidance. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 138 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy from June 2020 to December 2021. The patients were divided into three groups based on the method of nephrostomy tract creation: those who underwent fascial Amplatz serial fascial dilation (AMD) (n = 45), one-shot dilation (OSD) (n = 45), and END (n = 48). For END, a 20-Fr dilator with sheath was accessed over the first guidewire. A second guidewire was inserted into the collecting system via the endoscope. The nephroscope was then accessed to enlarge the renal puncture point using both guidewires. Demographic variables and important intraoperative and postoperative findings were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The preoperative characteristics were similar among the three groups. The END group had a significantly shorter access time than both the AMD and OSD groups and significantly less severe hemoglobin loss than the OSD group. There were no significant differences in the other important perioperative findings. CONCLUSION: Use of this novel END method with two guidewires may be associated with less blood loss and a reduced access time.