Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon dilatation through percutaneous nephroscopic channel establishment in the treatment of renal staghorn calculi. Methods From 2012 August to 2013 August 35 cases of percutaneous renal access were established with the treatment of renal staghorn calculi using balloon dilation to observe the bleeding and channel creation time. Results Percutaneous nephroscopic channels were established successfully in all patients, the average channel establishment time was about 6.5 min. no significant residual stones in 31 patients, stone clearance rate was 88.6%, 4 cases of patients with residual stones, about the size of 0.5-0.7 cm, after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and stone combination drug therapy, after 3 months later, the stones were discharged in all patients, there was no damage to surrounding organs, no blood fransfusion and collection system complications, coninuous follow up for 3-12 months, no complication happened. Conclusion The balloon dilation establishing standard PCNL channel has the advantages of fast, safe, effective, and provides a better treatment for patients with renal staghorn calculi.

Key words: balloon dilatation, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, staghorn calculi