The spelling of "Percutaneous Nephrolithotomies" may seem intimidating, but breaking it down using IPA phonetic transcription can help. /pərkjuˈteɪniəs nɛfroʊlɪθˈɒtəmiz/ indicates that the word begins with "per-" as in "through," followed by "cutaneous" meaning "pertaining to the skin," and "nephrolithotomies" meaning surgical removal of kidney stones. The use of long vowels and varying syllable stresses may seem daunting, but it accurately reflects the pronunciation of this complex medical term.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a medical procedure used to treat large or complex kidney stones. It involves accessing the kidney through a small incision made in the back or side of the patient. During the procedure, a thin tube called a nephroscope is inserted through the incision and guided into the kidney. The nephroscope allows the urologist to visualize the kidney and locate the kidney stones.
Once the stones are identified, they are either fragmented or removed using specialized instruments such as lasers, ultrasound, or pneumatic devices. This can be done by breaking the stones into smaller pieces or extracting them whole. The fragmented or removed stones are then usually sent for laboratory analysis to determine their composition.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is often preferred for treating larger or more complicated kidney stones that cannot be effectively treated with other less invasive procedures, such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically requires a hospital stay of one to two days.
Patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy may experience mild discomfort or pain after the procedure, which can be managed with pain medications. Complications, although rare, can include bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs, or the need for additional procedures.
Overall, percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an effective and safe procedure for the removal of large or complex kidney stones, providing relief from symptoms and preventing potential complications associated with kidney stones.
The word "percutaneous" is derived from the Latin words "per" which means "through" and "cutis" which means "skin". "Nephrolithotomies" is derived from the Greek words "nephros" which means "kidney", "lithos" which means "stone", and "tome" which means "cutting".