Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different approaches, flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (fURS) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL), for the minimally invasive management of anteriorly located caliceal stones in a location-based manner.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 93 patients with anterior caliceal stones (<15 mm) were treated with following two different modalities: fURS (n = 52, 55.9%) (Group 1) and mini-PCNL (n = 41, 44.1%) (Group 2). Demographic, per-operative, and postoperative parameters were comparatively evaluated in both groups.
Results:
The groups were similar in terms of their demographic data and stone characteristics (p > 0.05). Operation, fluoroscopy time, and hospital stay were significantly longer in Group 2 (p < 0.001). The perioperative complication and overall stone-free rates were similar between the groups (p = 0.44 and p = 0.53, respectively). However, when the stone-free rates were examined according to the calix groups, Group 2 was significantly more effective in terms of stone-free rates in the lower calix (52% vs 84%, p = 0.03). Although not statistically significant, more postoperative complications were observed in Group 2 (p = 0.09).
Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate that although mini-PCNL may be performed well through a caliceal puncture to remove lower caliceal stones with a high stone clearance rate, the fURS approach may be safer and more rational for the removal of stones located in the middle and upper anterior calices.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.