Preventing stone migration during percutaneous nephrolithotomy by using the stone cone

During percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) stone fragments sometimes pass into the ureter. In most cases these fragments will evacuate spontaneously but they may prolong the nephrostomy tube dwelling time and hospital stay. Occasionally additional treatment is necessary (ESWL or ureteroscopy). Lang et al. [1] reported 72 cases of ureteric obstruction after 8592 percutaneous stone removals. Albala et al. [2] found one case of debris migration in 57 procedures, Jones et al. [3] 31 in 1000 cases and Gleeson et al. [4] reported one ureteric obstruction in 39 patients. Here we describe an easy way to prevent the passage of stone fragments into the ureter.