Flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy in unilateral multiple renal stones

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To identify the factors contributing to stone-free rates and postoperative complications of flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy in unilateral multiple renal stones. Methods: A total of 20 patients had retrograde intrarenal surgery procedures to treat unilateral multiple renal stones, less than 50 mm collectively were reviewed from May 2021 to December 2021. Stone numbers were calculated, and stone size was measured as the cumulative stone diameter of all intrarenal stones. The clinical insignificant residual stones were defined as the absence of stone fragments <4 mm in the kidney at the end of the procedures. Baseline patient characteristics, operation time, hospital stay, stone-free rates, and complications were recorded. Results: Retrograde intrarenal surgery was performed on 20 patients (12 males and 8 females). The overall success rate was 80%. Depending on the sizes of the stones, patients with stones <20 mm had a stone-free rate of 100% (10/10 patients) and patients with stone size? 20mm had a stone-free rate of 60% (6/10) with a (p < 0.003). The number of stones per renal unit was two in 13 patients with a stone-free rate of (92.3%), three in 7 patients, and a stone-free rate was (57.1%) with a (p= 0.06). Postoperative complications were encountered in 4 patients (20%), and all were treated conservatively. Conclusions: Retrograde intrarenal surgery provides a satisfactory stone-free rate with a low complication rate when treating multiple renal stones. However, the success rate, stone-free rate, and the number of sessions significantly depend on the size and the number of stones.