Comparison Between the Efficacy & the Safety of Single Use Flexible Ureteroscopy Lithotripsy and Miniaturized Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (Mini PCNL) for the Management of Renal and Proximal Ureteral Calculi of ≤ 2CM
Authors: EL-Sadek Nowier Amr Mohamed , Abd El-Fattah Diaa El-din Mahmoud , Awis Medhat Ramadan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Urolithiasis has become a common medical problem with about 2- 3% prevalence rate and still increasing in the general population. Renal calculi represent about 80- 90% of all urinary calculi with high recurrence rate. Single Use Flexible Ureteroscopy Lithotripsy and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Lithotripsy are recommended in the 2013 European Association of Urology guidelines as the first line in management of lower pole calculi when renal anatomy is unfavorable for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Furthermore, Single Use Flexible Ureteroscopy Lithotripsy is extremely effective for management of calculi of ≤ 2 cm in diameter and complex renal calculi.

Aim of the Work
The aim of our study is to compare the outcome of using Single Use Flexible URS versus Mini-PCNL with ≤22 Fr tract accessin management of pelvic, lower calyceal and proximal ureteral calculi ≤ 2cm. It was conducted on 40 patients that were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A were treated with Mini-PCNL (20cases), whereas group B were treated with Single Use Flexible URS (20 cases).

Patients and Methods
A clinical trial, it was carried out at Ain Shams University, Urology department from October 2020 to October 2021 and done over 40 patients complaining of single pelvic, lower calyceal or upper ureteric stone ≤ 2 cm. The patients underwent either Mini-PCNL or Single Use Flexible URS randomly according to simple randomization using Gpowa computer program with ratio 1:1.

Results
Our study showed that Single Use Flexible URS achieves a comparable stone free rates to Mini- PCNL as there is no statistically significant difference between group A and group B in the stone free rate.Flexible URS reduces the risks associated with Mini-PCNL.Blood loss is highly significant in Mini-PCNL group more than in Single Use Flexible URS group.The incidence of post-operative fever and infection is non- significant between 2 groups. It is (15%)3 cases from 20 cases in group A although, (5%)1case from 20 cases in group B. There is highly significant difference between group A and group B in both operation time and hospital stay. This means that the patients take more intra operative time in Flexible URS group than in Mini-PCNL group,but more hospitalization in Mini- PCNL group than Single Use Flexible URS group.There is no statistically significant difference between 2 groups in the need for double J stent or auxiliary procedure such as ESWL.

Conclusion
Single Use Flexible URS is widely used nowadays and the treatment of choice for management of renal calculi due to its high efficacy and low morbidity in management of renal stones up to 20 mm. This study indicated that Single Use Flexible URS is an effective technique for management of renal and proximal ureteric calculi ≤ 2cm. In comparison to Mini-PCNL, it not only has a similar stone free rate, but also is associated with lower complication rates, more favorable recovery time. But it has longer operative time.