Mini-PCNL as good as flexible ureteroscope for managing renal stones: Study

The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ambulatory mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Mini-PCNL) and flexible ureteroscope (F-URS) in treating 10-20 mm lower calyceal stones using propensity score matching analysis (PSM).

For the study design, a retrospective analysis of 136 adult patients that underwent Mini-PCNL or F-URS for a single lower calyx calculus. Participants that underwent F-URS were allocated to Group I, while those who underwent Mini-PCNL were assigned to Group II. Patients were discharged on the same day and followed up by CT after 3 months. Both groups were matched by stone size and density using propensity stone matching (PSM) and the matched group were further compared.

Results highlighted some key facts.

• Before matching, there were statistical differences in stone size (p=0.02), preoperative hydronephrosis (p=0.004), and Hounsfield Unit (p=0.04) between both groups.
• A logistic regression model was created between independent variables such as stone size and density.
• The new groups following PSM were statistically similar in terms of age, BMI, stone size, and HFU (p=0.43, p=0.74, p=0.49, p=0.36).
• The SFR after PSM was not significantly higher in the Mini-PCNL group than the F-URS group (91.7% vs. 81.7%, respectively p=0.1) while the operative time for the F-URS group was significantly shorter than the Mini-PCNL group 54(49-64.3) min vs. 68.2(62-73.5) min, respectively, p=0.045.

For full article follow the link: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.05.041

Source: Urology