20 years of mini PCL technique

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Feb.4: The mini PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) technology, which removes kidney stones through a small incision without the need for major surgery, has now been in use in Nepal for 20 years.

Marking its introduction in Nepal in 2005, at the request of urologist Dr Sanjay Khadgi, Chinese experts Professor Zeng Guohua and Professor Zhou Fangjian visited Dhulikhel Hospital, where they performed surgeries on 32 patients using this technology. At that time, only a few countries had adopted this technique. Following this, Dr Khadgi actively worked to establish mini PCNL as regular equipment for kidney stone surgeries in Nepal.

Reflecting on the introduction of this technology, Dr Khadgi recalled, "I was studying in China and wanted to introduce something new. As a result, mini PCNL was brought to Nepal for the first time. This method has provided respite to patients.

Surgeries for kidney stones used to require large incisions and long hospital stays. But with mini PCNL, the incision is small, which reduces pain and the risk of complications. Patients can even be discharged the day after surgery."

It was also to mark 20 years since the introduction of mini PCNL in Nepal, and Dr Khadgi invited his mentors to come and join in the celebration. He said, "It is due to my mentors I have got international recognition for this technique. I owe my success to them, and I invited them to Nepal and celebrate this milestone together."

Dr Khadgi, a urologist, has performed over 15,000 surgeries in the past two decades. He regularly performs kidney stone surgeries with mini PCNL at Khadgi Institute. The institute has been providing free services for surgeries to poor and underprivileged patients.