Objective To estimate the kidney volume of the healthy Turkish population using ultrasound and to evaluate the relationship between kidney volume and body indexes. Materials and methods Kidney ultrasound evaluation was performed on 152 patients (mean age: 42±13.7 years). Kidney length, width and thickness were measured using ultrasound. Mean total and parenchymal volume were also calculated. Patients’ age, sex, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) were recorded. Results According to ultrasound, kidney lengths were 10.3±7.8 cm for the right and 10.4±9 cm for the left. Volumes were 158±39 cm3 for the right and 168±40 cm3 for the left. Volumes in women were 151.8±39 cm3 for the right and 159.8±37 cm3 for the left, and 164.3±38 cm3 for the right and 175.8±41 cm3 for the left in men. Kidney measurements correlated with body height and weight. A strong correlation with total kidney volume and kidney measurements was determined for body weight for both kidneys (p<0.001). A significant correlation with kidney volume and width was determined for both kidneys (p<0.001). A positive correlation was also found between parenchymal and total kidney volume for both kidneys (p<0.001). Conclusion The most significant factors associated with kidney volume for both kidneys in the Turkish population are kidney width and body weight. Measuring kidney volume with ultrasound is a feasible modality and is widely available for daily clinical practice.

Purpose We aimed to compare the outcomes of pneumatic (PL), ultrasonic (UL) and combined (PL/UL) lithotripsy performed in percutaneous lithotripsy (PNL) according to success rates and stone clearence. Materials and Methods The medical records of 512 patients treated with PNL between April 2010 and April 2013 were evaluated. Postoperative stone analysis revealed as calcium oxalate in 408 of these patients. The operation notes of 355 patients recorded in detail with complete parameters were reviewed. According to stone disintegration method, patients were divided into three groups: PL only in Group I, UL only in Group II, and UL/PL combination in Group III. Number of patients was 155, 110 and 90, respectively. Results Fluoroscopy screening time was significantly shorter in group II, and III compared to group I (p<0.001). The failure rates were 13.5% (21 patients) for group I, 3.6% (4 patients) for group II, and 3.3% (3 patients) for group III. There was a significant statistical difference in favor of group II and III by means of success (p=0.023). Group II and III had larger FSA, and this was statistically significant (p=0.032). Stone disintegration time (SDT) was 64.0±41.92 minutes for group I, 49.5±34.63 for group II, and 37.7±16.89 for group III. Group III has a statistically significant shorter SDT (p=0.011). Conclusions We concluded that, in cases with high stone burden, where faster and efficient lithotripsy is needed, combined ultrasonic / pneumatic lithotripter may be the ideal choice and in suitable cases ultrasonic lithotripter usage provides important advantages to the surgeon.