Photo Credit: DouglasOlivares
The following is a summary of “Comparison of anatomical changes in computed tomography (CT) scan in supine position and prone position with respect to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).” published in the August 2024 issue of Urology by Yella et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze anatomical positional changes, renal access tract length, and maximum renal access angle in supine and prone positions using CT scan images.
CT urography was performed on 52 patients with various urological complaints in both supine and prone positions, including delayed images. They compared organ interposition, pleural interposition, mean access tract length, and maximum renal access angle for PCNL.
The results showed that the difference in organ interposition was not statistically significant. Pleural interposition was more common in the prone position on both the right (9 vs 2, P = 0.03) and left (3 vs 0, P = 0.24). Mean access tract length was shorter in the prone position on both sides: right (69.93mm vs 61.74mm, P <0.001) and left (69.78mm vs 63.57mm, P <0.001). The maximum renal access angle was greater in the supine position on both sides: right (73.57 vs 69.03, P = 0.4) and left (73.78 vs 64.7, P = 0.025), with statistical significance on the left side.
The study concluded that PCNL in the prone position offered a shorter access tract length, while the supine position provided a wider access angle. They found a higher chance of pleural interposition during upper calyx puncture in the prone position.
