CURRENT INDICATIONS FOR OPEN STONE SURGERY IN AN ENDOUROLOGY CENTER

Objectives. To evaluate the current indications and outcome of open st one surgery in a tertiary endourology unit. Methods. A 3-year retrospe ctive review (1990 to 1993) of all endoscopic and open stone surgery w as undertaken. Results. Twenty-five open procedures were performed on 20 patients of a total of 799 stone treatment procedures (3.13%). The most common indications for open stone surgery included large stone bu rdens in association with abnormal anatomy limiting endoscopic access (31%), concurrent open surgical procedures (24%), or previous failed e ndourologic procedures (17%). Anatomic factors contributing to the nee d for open surgery included renal transplantation, morbid obesity, and severe limb contractures. Conclusions. Open stone surgery has become more complex. Patients undergoing open surgery, who failed endourologi c techniques, or for anatomic or medical reasons, currently are the co horts who may still benefit from treatment for calculus disease using open surgical techniques.