Is the surgery done under general anesthesia?

This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, but at Goldman it can also be performed safely under spinal anesthesia. Less anesthetic burden and faster recovery are among Goldman's great strengths.

How long is recovery after surgery?

At Goldman, recovery is fast: a 2-day, 1-night stay with discharge the next day. The incision is small and pain is minimal, so you return to daily life quickly.

Are the scarring and pain severe?

We use mini-PCNL, so the incision is small and pain is relatively mild. Scarring is minimal and it usually heals well.

Can the stones come back?

As with all stone treatments, recurrence is possible. But PCNL removes the stone directly, so removal rates are high and recurrence is comparatively low. Afterward, lifestyle care such as diet and fluid intake matters.

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AI CURATION

Briefly describe your symptoms
to the smart Goldman AI.

e.g. I urinate frequently and always feel residual urine
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Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

An incisional procedure used for large, deep-seated stones that require direct removal.

Removed in one session, fast recovery
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Goldman is different.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy — Dr. Lee Chang Ki, Goldman Urology

VIEW

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive surgery that uses an endoscope inserted through the skin to directly remove stones inside the kidney.
It is effective for large or complex stones and when ESWL or ureteroscopy has failed, and is characterized by a high stone clearance rate and rapid recovery.

SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: when is it needed?

Large kidney stones 2 cm or larger that are difficult to remove with an endoscope or lithotripsy can be effectively removed with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).

2 cm or larger 2 cm or larger

Large kidney stones (usually 2 cm or more)
Staghorn calculi and other stones filling the kidney
Stones in a location that is difficult to reach with a ureteroscope
When anatomical abnormalities or strictures make ureteroscopy impossible
Hard stones that do not break up well with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Declining kidney function, recurrent infections, or severe pain
Stones that cause obstruction or infection or damage the kidney
Multiple stones, or stones hard to reach endoscopically

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: how is it performed?

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is effective for large or complex stones 2 cm or larger, and a high stone clearance rate can be expected.

STEP 01

We pinpoint the exact location and condition of the stone
to establish the optimal surgical plan.
STEP 02

A small incision is made in the skin and
a safe path is secured for the endoscope.
STEP 03

Viewing the inside of the kidney directly through the endoscope,
the stone is fragmented and removed.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy:
what are the benefits?

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a minimally invasive surgery that can remove even large stones in a single session.
It offers fast recovery, helps prevent recurrence, and helps preserve kidney function.

Large kidney stones (2 cm or more)

Even large stones are removed safely.
Minimally invasive (spinal anesthesia)

Almost no incision and little pain, so the burden is low.
Minimal hospital stay (2 days, 1 night)

A short stay means a fast return to daily life.
Short recovery period

Recovery is fast and complications are rare.

24-hour urinary stone emergency system in operation

Available only at the Gangnam, Seoul Station, and Jamsil branches

* Figures based on HIRA data for Goldman Urology Clinic, 2002–2024.

A track record of
over 10,000 treatments

Surgery available for
every type of stone

Nighttime treatment
available

Fast and
prompt response

It’s Advanced! Percutaneous nephrolithotomy:
the BIG 5 reasons Goldman leads the way

Admission the day before, general anesthesia, a long recovery? At Goldman, the answer is NO to all!
Experience a new PCNL system designed around the patient.

Every surgical method performed, so treatment can be tailored

We perform them all — ESWL, ureteroscopy, PCNL, and Zamenix.

Treatment is tailored to each patient by stone size and location.

Even advanced surgery, performed safely under spinal anesthesia

Goldman performs advanced kidney stone surgery safely and with little burden under spinal anesthesia.

Even ECIRS, an advanced combined procedure, is available

Even complex, giant, or multiple stones can be operated on safely with spinal anesthesia alone.

Advanced surgery combining PCNL and RIRS is also done without added burden.

Surgical expertise recognized at international conferences

We presented successful PCNL and ECIRS cases — rare at the clinic level — at international conferences, formally demonstrating Goldman's expertise.

A One-day System from testing to treatment

With Goldman's One-day System, testing, surgery, and discharge are all completed the day you come in.

Questions about percutaneous nephrolithotomy? Get them answered now.

Goldman's know-how gives clear answers to patients' questions.

It is usually performed under general anesthesia, but at Goldman it can also be performed safely under spinal anesthesia. Less anesthetic burden and faster recovery are major Goldman advantages.
At Goldman, recovery is fast: a 2-day, 1-night stay with discharge the next day.The incision is small and pain is minimal, so you return to daily life quickly.
We use mini-PCNL, so the incision is small and pain is relatively mild.Scarring is minimal and it usually heals well.
As with all stone treatments, recurrence is possible.But PCNL removes the stone directly, so removal rates are high and recurrence is comparatively low.Afterward, lifestyle care such as diet and fluid intake matters.