FURL or all-seeing needle-assisted PCNL, which is better for treating calyceal diverticulum stones?

China: Calyceal diverticula (CD) stones can be treated minimally invasive and effectively by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy (FURL), a recent study in the journal Urolithiasis has stated. 

For the treatment of calyceal diverticula stones, PCNL was shown to be more efficient than FURL, and its safety was improved with the help of all-seeing needle assistance. The effects of FURL were dependent greatly on the anatomy and location of the diverticula. 

The study was conducted by Xiang Li, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, China, and colleagues with the objective to investigate the effectiveness and safety of flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy and all-seeing needle-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of calyceal diverticula stones. 

For this purpose, the researchers retrospective reviewed 24 patients, including 14 females and 10 males, with an average age of 45.6 ± 17.4 years from June 2012 to November 2020, 24 patients. Out of these, 14 were treated with FURL, and 10 underwent all-seeing needle-assisted PCNL. They recorded demographic data, perioperative parameters, and complications, as well as follow-up data.