Urology San Antonio’s Dr. Maurilio Garcia-Gil is advancing kidney stone treatment in San Antonio and across Texas by offering PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) completed entirely at an ASC (Ambulatory Surgery Center). Marking a first in the state, this method mirrors the traditional PCNL performed in hospitals but with a significant difference: it’s tailored for low-risk patients who are discharged on the same day from a surgery center – without ever having to step foot in a hospital.
Avoiding hospital admissions means a more comfortable process for patients, reduced costs, and a lower risk of exposure to more severe illnesses often encountered in hospital settings.
“Traditionally, patients undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) would be expected to spend multiple days in a hospital, often in an ICU. However, now that techniques and technology have advanced, patients can often recover at home with their families. This allows patients to be more comfortable and reduce costs,” said Dr. Maurilio Garcia-Gil, MD.
To minimize discomfort, extra small tools and incisions are utilized, which are significantly smaller than standard access tools. Additionally, the procedure is performed with the patient facing up, rather than the traditional face-down approach, allowing for safer and more accessible monitoring of the patient’s airway by the anesthesia team.
“PCNL is the best method when it comes to complicated or large kidney stones. Other methods can clear smaller stones, but are more likely to need multiple interventions to clear the entire stone burden. With PCNL, we do not need to work through your delicate and narrow ureter. Instead, we work directly in the kidney through a small incision, maximizing stone clearance and minimizing infection risk.”
Dr. Garcia-Gil anticipates more patients will have the option to undergo stone removal in an ambulatory setting, as long as they are fit for anesthesia outside of a hospital. This shift could make kidney stone treatments more accessible and convenient for patients.
ASC PCNL at Urology San Antonio represents a significant step forward in patient care, offering a safer, more comfortable, and cost-effective solution for kidney stone removal.