Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL): A technique for removing large and/or dense stones and staghorn kidney stones.
PNL is done via a port created by puncturing the kidney through the skin and enlarging the access port to 1 cm (about 3/8 inch) in diameter. There is no surgical incision.
PNL is done under anesthesia and real-time live x-ray control (fluoroscopy).
