UP-012-c02 Stones & endourology multiple
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Pleural injury, hydrothorax or pneumothorax

An upper-pole or supracostal tract can cross pleura or diaphragm and produce fluid or air in the chest.

This module records catalogue coverage only. Do not use it to make diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Rendered frame from the Interactive operative model Interactive 3D The operation this complication belongs to: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy Interactive operative model Open the 3D animation
01 Variation coverage

Which versions of the operation this applies to

Standard-tract PCNLMiniaturised PCNLSupine PCNLProne PCNLECIRSTubeless PCNL

The parent hub contains 6 recorded variations.

The labels above prevent a complication from being implied for an approach where it is not relevant.

Compare all PCNL variations Open the PCNL pleural-injury card
02 Evidence

Sources

European Association of Urology EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis

SWL, ureteroscopy, RIRS, PCNL, bladder stones and decompression options.

Accessed 2026-08-03 · opens source European Association of Urology EAU Guidelines on Urological Infections

Infection prevention, recognition and procedure-associated infection context.

Accessed 2026-08-03 · opens source British Association of Urological Surgeons Patient information leaflets by procedure

UK patient-facing procedure, alternatives, recovery and complication framing.

Accessed 2026-08-03 · opens source
03 Same procedure

Other PCNL complication modules

multiple Renal haemorrhage or vascular lesion multiple Colon or solid-organ injury early Urinary infection or sepsis early Collecting-system perforation or urinary leak late Residual stone or need for staged treatment intraoperative Tract or access loss early Drainage failure after tubeless exit
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