Convenience voids have a small but significant effect on parameters analyzed on FVCs. They should be considered for inclusion in the FVCs used in research when changes in voided volume are being investigated.

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2008; 90: 40-44 40Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become the mainstay of treatment for large renal calculi over the past 30 years since Fernstrom and Johansson first removed a renal calculus through a nephrostomy tract in 1976. 1 The practice of PCNL, having been refined over time, continues to evolve and has largely replaced open stone surgery for the treatment of complex upper tract stones unsuitable for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) or ureteroscopy. This has been aided by advances in technology and equipment resulting in stone removal with less morbidity, shorter convalescence, and reduced cost compared with open surgery. 2,3 Excellent outcomes have been reported following PCNL with stone-free rates approaching 95%. Nevertheless, most published series of PCNL are from single centres with a dedicated sub-specialist interest in stone management.These represent optimum results achievable and may not reflect outcomes of everyday practice in non-specialised units. The aim of the study was to analyse the current practice of PCNL in our region. Patients and MethodsThe region comprises 12 participating hospital trusts. Of these, two were tertiary referral centres with a recognised expertise in stone management, while the rest (10) comprised district general hospitals (secondary centres) providing a range of urological interventions. All patients undergoing a PCNL procedure in 2002 were identified using theatre records and medical records scrutinised retrospectively. In trusts performing more than 20 procedures

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