What is the appropriate treatment for a partial staghorn calculus in a 49-year-old woman with a functioning kidney?

The appropriate treatment for a partial staghorn calculus is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) because this procedure is specifically designed to remove large kidney stones that occupy a significant portion of the renal collecting system, which is characteristic of staghorn calculi.

In this case, the patient is a 49-year-old woman with a functioning kidney, and PCNL is minimally invasive, allowing for effective stone removal with a relatively quick recovery time compared to more invasive procedures. During PCNL, a small incision is made in the back to access the kidney, and using specialized instruments, the stone is fragmented and removed. This method is particularly well-suited for staghorn stones, which can be extensive and complex in their structure.

Other treatment options, such as cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, are more appropriate for smaller stones located in the bladder or ureters. Cystoscopy involves accessing the bladder through the urethra, while ureteroscopy allows for the removal of stones directly from the ureter. These methods are not effective for large kidney stones like partial staghorn calculi. Open surgery is generally reserved for cases where other less invasive techniques are not feasible or have failed, but it is less commonly used due to