Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Versus Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Patients with Renal Stones

Abstract

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are crystal concretions that primarily occur in the kidney and are referred to as nephrolithiasis. Ideally, calculi should form in the kidneys and pass out of the body through the urethra painlessly. Larger stones are uncomfortable and thus require surgery. Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are the minimally invasive procedures employed these days to target renal stones. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of both mini-PCNL and RIRS in terms of targeting larger stones in adult patients along with other factors including hospital stay, operative time, stone passing rate and associated complications. Patients and Methods: In the year 2021, 101 patients undergoing mini-PCNL or RIRS in Doctors Hospital, Gujrat were observed in this study. Effectiveness of both the techniques, exposure time, transfusions required, stone free rates and hospital stay were compared in both groups of patients. Results: It was found that mini-PCNL has greater potential than RIRS in terms of stone clearing and operating time. However, RIRS has performed better in terms of reducing the hospital stay with mild complications in both the procedures. Conclusion: Both RIRS and mini-PCNL are extremely safe and highly efficient treatments for renal lithiasis with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and either one can be chosen to achieve outstanding stone-free rates.