Regionalization of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Evidence for the Increasing Burden of Care on Tertiary Centers

Abstract

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a technically complex but low risk procedure, has spontaneously regionalized to tertiary centers, suggesting the migration of complex surgical care to these centers. The impact of this increasing burden of care on tertiary centers is unclear but may be problematic in the current reimbursement environment.