Comparison of clinical effect between PCNL and MPCNL in the treatment of renal calculi

Objective To compare the efficacy and advantages of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) in the treatment of renal calculi. Methods A retrospective analysis about clinic data of 323 patients with renal calculi treated during Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2011 were summarized and analyzed. PCNL was performed in 145 patients and MPCNL in 178 patients. The operation time, success rate, stone-free rate, complications, renal function, blood transfusion, and postoperative hospital stay were compared. Results 18 F and 24 F percutaneous renal access were successfully established in PCNL and MPCNL group respectively. The MPCNL group had a longer operation time than the PCNL group. The one-stage stone-free rate for multiple stones was significantly higher in the MPCNL group than that in the PCNL group. However, the stone-free rate for simple renal pelvis stone was significantly lower in the MPCNL group than that in the PCNL group. There was no statistical difference in one-stage stone-free rate, complications rate, renal function, blood transfusion, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups for staghorn stone. Conclusions Both PCNL and MPCNL have the advantages of shorter hospital stay, quick recovery, higher stone clearance rate and fewer complications. Standard tract PCNL may be suitable for large renal stone, while MPCNL may has advantages in the treatment for renal calyx stone.