Outcomes in Lower Pole Kidney Stone Management Using Mini-PCNL Compared With Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery

Outcomes in Lower Pole Kidney Stone Management Using Mini-PCNL Compared With Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Due to the anatomic characteristics of the lower calyx, lower pole stones are difficult to be eliminated through the ureter, even if the stones had been fragmented. Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) can be used to deal with lower pole stones of 1.0-2.0 cm, while percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) is mainly used to deal with lower pole stones with larger diameter or when RIRS failed to resolve the stone. This study was conducted to compare mini PCNL and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the management of lower pole kidney stones in terms of efficacy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Renal stone at lower pole of size 10mm -20mm

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with positive urine culture,
• Patients with anatomical abnormalities determined by ultrasonography
• Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >9%)
• Patients undergone previous renal surgery