This study represents a statistical analysis of 79 patients with staghorn calculi treated at our hospital in the years 1972 to 1978 inclusive. Staghorn calculi were defined as stones filling the renal pelvis and at least 2 major calyceal branches. The following yields were gained.
(1) Staghorn calculi accounted for 23.7% of all renal stone admissions in the same period.
(2) Ages ranged from 11 to 83 years old and it was most common between the ages of 30 to 60 years old.
(3) Of the 79 patients, 27 were males and 52 were females with a ratio of 1:1.9.
(4) The involvement of the kidney was diagnosed as bilateral in 9 cases, right side in 28 and left side in 42, which demonstrated the more frequent involvement of the left kidney.
(5) Of the 79 patients, 69 presented associated renal infection (70.4% in males and 96.2% in females).
(6) The most common organism was Proteus, which was isolated from 23 patients (46%). Other organism such as E. coli in 11 and Klebsiella in 3 cases accounted for 22% and 6% of the all organisms, respectively.
(7) Of 37 patients, 3 had residual urine and 3 had vesicoureteral reflux.
(8) Each kidney was considered as one renal unit and the operation was performed on 60 units in 56 patients. Preservative procedure was used in 48 units of 44 patients through which nephrolithotomy was more frequent.
(9) Of calculi associated with infection, 42 composed of calcium-phosphate, Mg-phosphate-ammonium with carbonate and this was the most common type. Composition of carbonate radical appeared to be important in predicting the infection as a predisposing factor of stone formation.
(10) Serum and urine analysis showed no differece compared with the normal controls.
(11) In cases with preoperative infection and postoperative residual stone, the infection tended to continue for a long time.
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