Comparison of Ultra-Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Renal Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from the KSER Update Series

Comparative study between ultra-mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus stented extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for treatment of renal stones in Egypt

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to compare results, safety and outcome of ultra-mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) versus stented shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for the management of renal calculi sized 10-20 mm.

Methods

This study was conducted at Urology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. After meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 patients were randomized to either ultra-mini-PCNL group or stented SWL group through the closed-envelope technique, with 45 patients in each group. Patient data were collected preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively assessing operative time, hospital stay, complications including haematuria, fever, the need for blood transfusion, residual stones and the need for retreatment.

Results

Stone-free rate (SFR) was higher in the ultra-mini-PCNL group compared to the stented SWL group, with no statistically significant difference with P-value = 0.316. As for the need for retreatment, it was slightly higher in the stented SWL group compared to the ultra-mini-PCNL group, yet this difference was statistically insignificant with P-value = 0.681.We found no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding post-operative complications including fever, haematuria and need for blood transfusion, respectively.Operative time and hospital stay were significantly higher in the ultra-mini-PCNL group compared to the stented SWL group with P-value < 0.001 for both.

Conclusion

Both stented SWL and ultra-mini-PCNL are good treatment choices for renal stones sized less than 2 cm with low complication rates. Stone size indices were significant predictor for the need for retreatment. Further studies to compare SFR based on stone size in both interventions are needed.

Comparison of flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment for renal calculi larger than 2 cm: a matched-pair analysis

To compare the effectiveness and safety of flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal calculi > 2 cm and perform subgroup analysis of stone length and age. Patients received mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy or flexible ureteroscopy in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from 2016.01 to 2021.03 with renal calculi > 2 cm were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching was performed to get comparable patients. The postoperative hospital days, operation time, complication rate, and stone free rate were compared. The age and stone length were analyzed by subgroup. 162 in 313 patients were finally included. Each group had 81 cases. Outcomes such as intraoperative transfusion, stone free rate show no difference either. Flexible ureteroscopy had shorter postoperative hospital days (3.2 days vs 7.2 days, P < 0.001) and fewer complications (9, 11.1% vs 25, 30.9%, P = 0.002) compared to mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The postoperative hospital days, and complication of the flexible ureteroscopy were significantly lower than those in the mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal stones ≤ 2.5 cm; when the stone length > 2.5 cm, the stone free rate of flexible ureteroscopy was lower than that of the mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group, but not statistically significant. The complications of flexible ureteroscopy in the young group (18-39 years old) were significantly lower than those in the mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. For 2-2.5 cm renal stones, flexible ureteroscopy can achieve a similar stone free rate with shorter hospital stay, and lower complications. For larger stones, flexible ureteroscopy performed poorly. Flexible ureteroscopy may be a better option for younger patients with fewer complications.