Air travel and thromboembolic complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn stone.

Thromboembolic complications after percutaneous surgery for staghorn stone are rare. We report a case of silent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after long-distance air travel that was complicated by both recurrent pulmonary emboli and paradoxical arterial embolus despite full-dose systemic heparin anticoagulation. Management options for thromboembolic complications in the context of percutaneous renal surgery are discussed, and risk factors predisposing to silent deep vein thrombosis after long-distance air travel are outlined.