lithotripsy, percutaneous nephro-

lithotripsy, percutaneous nephro- A technique for removing large and/or dense kidney stones and staghorn stones. Abbreviated PNL. In PNL, there is no incision; rather, an access port is created by puncturing the kidney through the skin, and the port is then enlarged to allow insertion of instruments to break up and remove stones. The procedure is done under anesthesia, using realtime live X-ray control (fluoroscopy).