Management of renal calculi: retrograde ureteroscopic holminum laser versus percutaneous nephrolithotripsy

Abstract

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of retrograde ureteroscopic Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy (UHL) and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in treating patients with renal calculi of ≤3 cm.Methods From Feb.2008 to Apr.2011,a total of 109 cases (117 renal calculi in total) treated by either PCNL (50) or UHL (67) were retrospectively analyzed.Operative time,stone free rate,postoperative hospital stay,hospitalization expenses and complications were compared in the 2 groups.Results The mean stone burden of the UHL group and PCNL group was 2.5 cm (1.5-3.0) cm and 2.4 cm (1.3-3.0) cm,respectively.There was no significant difference in two groups.In UHL group,operations were performed successfully in all 67 calculi,of whom,43 patients needed combination of flexible ureteroscopy to break the stone fragments falling into the renal calices.No serious complication was recorded except postoperative fever in 3 cases.In PCNL group,all patients had been successful operated.Postoperative fever occurred in 2 cases.Obvious intraoperative and postoperative haemorrhage appeared in 1 case,and cured by selective renal artery embolization.The operation time of the UHL group and PCNL group was (117.0±36.5) min and (90.0±18.3) min respectively,and had no significant difference in two groups (P＞0.05).The stone free rate of the UHL group and PCNL group was 94％ (63/67) and 92％ (46/50) respectively,and had no significant difference in two groups (P＞0.05).Hemoglobin decline of the UHL group and PCNL group was (0.3±0.1) g/L and (20.6±8.1) g/L,and had significant difference in two groups (P＜0.05).Postoperative hospital stay of the UHL group and PCNL group was (5.0±2.4) day and (7.0±3.7) day,and had statistical difference in two groups (P＜ 0.05).Hospitalization expenses of the UHL group and PCNL group was (15 477.0±754.3) RMB and (27 453.0± 1763.5) RMB,and had statistical difference in two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusions Although UHL and PCNL have similar curative effect in treating renal stones of less than 3 cm,UHL have the advantages of lcss trauma and complication,lower expenses and fewer hospital stay.In treating renal stones of smaller than 3 cm,especially in the contraindication of PCNL,UHL may be a better choice. Key words: Kidney calculi; Lithotripsy; Ureteroscopic lithotripsy; Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; Ho : YAG Laser Lithotrips