What is the safe and effective dilator number during access in PCNL? Three-shot dilation versus classical sequential Amplatz dilation

Table 2 Distribution of FTs according to the study group

	3SD (n = 138)	SAD (n = 145)	p*
Access 1 FT^a (mean ± SD) (median)	9.22 ± 5.88 (8)	9.41 ± 5.07 (8)	0.275
Access 2 FT^b (sec) (mean ± SD) (median)	45.99 ± 22.16 (41)	71.86 ± 20.79 (69)	0.0001**
Total access FT (sec) (mean ± SD) (median)	55.21 ± 23.42 (50)	81.26 ± 21.56 (80)	0.0001**
Post-access FT^c (sec) (mean ± SD) (median)	17.09 ± 15.16 (13)	20.59 ± 30 (11)	0.054
Total operation FT (sec) (mean ± SD) (median)	72.36 ± 28.58 (66)	101.83 ± 39.96 (90)	0.00011**

FT Fluoroscopy time, 3SD Three-shot dilation, SAD: sequential Amplatz dilatation, SD Standard deviation
*Mann-Whitney U test
**statistically significant
^aFT from the insertion of the needle to the placement of the guidewire into the calix
^bFT from the advancement of the style over the guide wire to the placement of the Amplatz sheath
^cfrom the start of nephroscopy to nephrostomy catheter placement

ISSN: 1471-2490