Global mortality of the series (the first 30 postoperative days) was 0.8%, mostly cases of transplant nephrectomies (4), and one upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Significant morbidity appeared in 47 cases (8%), 15 of which (2.5%) required reoperation, being intensive bleeding with hypovolemia of variable severity the most frequent cause. The series includes non selected cases of a wide spectrum of pathologies. Any comparison with minimally invasive approaches should take into consideration, among other parameters, selection of the cases.
Breve sinopsis históricaAunque existen referencias muy antiguas sobre la práctica de la litotomía en India y Persia es, desde Hipócrates (s.V a.C.), que se sabe que tal téc-nica, prohibida al médico, se dejaba en manos de curanderos practicones y sólo hay alguna referencia a "cirujanos" que la practicaron más adelante como Amonio de Alejandría en el 250 a. de C.A Aulus Cornelius Celsus (30 a. de C.) se atribuye la primera descripción de la litotomía inclui-
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