Obesity in percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Is body mass index really important?
Obesity does not increase complications in PCNL, and the efficacy of the technique is similar to normal weight patients with appropriate expertise. Total operative time and radiation exposure increase along with BMI, putting patients at risk.
Injection of local anesthetic with high injection pressure (> 20 psi) during lumbar plexus block commonly results in unwanted bilateral blockade and is associated with high risk of neuraxial blockade.