The full form of PCNL is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (nef-roe-lih-THOT-uh-me) is a procedure used to remove kidney stones from the body when they can’t pass on their own. A scope is inserted through a small incision in your back to remove the kidney stones.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used most often for larger stones or when other procedures, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or uteroscopy, are unsuccessful or not possible.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is typically recommended in the following situations:

• Large kidney stones are blocking more than one branch of the collecting system of the kidney (known as staghorn kidney stones)
• Kidney stones are larger than 0.8 inch (2 centimeters) in diameter
• Large stones are in the ureter
• Other therapies have failed

Before you undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy, your doctor will perform several tests. Urine and blood tests check for signs of infection or other problems, and a computerized tomography (CT) scan determines where the stones are in your kidney.