[Infective lithiasis. Treatment and complications].
OBJECTIVE: To establish the criteria for treatment of staghorn stones according to stone surface and distribution in cadaver kidneys. METHODS: Retrospective study of 344 cases treated from 1985 to 1992 and classified into two groups according to treatment by extracorporeal lithotripsy or by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). RESULTS: Mean age 48.69 years, prevalence of females and positive urinary culture in almost 70%, mainly Proteus. Stone composition was varied, but mainly magnesium ammonium phosphate. Treatment was by extracorporeal lithotripsy in 80.81% and by PNL in 19.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of this type of lithiasis should be by combined surgical removal and medical treatment. Lithotripsy is advocated for large caliceal calculi and PNL for large pyelic calculi.