Severe Bleeding after Nephrolithotomy: Results of Hyperselective Embolization

From 1984 to 1998, 808 patients underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy for removal of renal calculi. Although the technique is safe and effective, complications, including hemorrhages, have been reported. Eight patients (1%) are described in whom severe bleeding following percutaneous nephrolithotomy was uncontrolled by usual methods and treated by hyperselective embolization. Renal arteriography has shown arteriovenous fistula in 3 patients, pseudo aneurysm in 4 and both in1 patient. Embolization allowed definitive treatment of these lesions in 7 of our 8 patients. The failure of embolization in 1 patient imposed a partial nephrectomy. Patients with normal renal function did not suffer significant change in the serum creatinine after treatment (percutaneous nephrolithotomy + embolization), and all but 1 patient have maintained normal blood pressure. In the authors’ opinion, hyperselective embolization is the least invasive and best treatment for massive hemorrhage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.