A Comparison of 2 Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Techniques for the Treatment of Pediatric Kidney Stones of Sizes 10-20 mm: Microperc vs Miniperc.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL; microperc) with mini-PNL (miniperc) in the treatment of pediatric renal stones of sizes 10-20 mm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged <18 years who underwent PNL for renal stones of sizes 10-20 mm between August 2011 and March 2014 in 3 referral centers were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in the following 2 groups: microperc (group 1) and miniperc (group 2). Demographics and perioperative parameters (fluoroscopy and operation time, hemoglobin drop, and stone-free and complication rates) were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were evaluated, including group 1 (n = 56) for microperc and group 2 (n = 63) for miniperc. We found mean stone sizes as 13.4 ± 3.4 and 14.8 ± 3.7 mm in the groups, respectively (P = .046). Mean operation and fluoroscopy times were 57.1 ± 31.2 minutes and 132.4 ± 92.5 seconds in the microperc group and 68.9 ± 36.7 minutes and 226.2 ± 166.2 seconds in the miniperc group, respectively (P = .110 and P <.001). Stone-free rates were similar in both groups (82.1% vs 87.3%; P = .433 and 92.8% vs 93.6%; P = 0673) on postoperative day 1 and at first-month follow-up. The mean hemoglobin drop in group 2 differed from that in group 1 significantly (P <.001). The difference of average hospitalization times was statistically significant (43.0 ± 15.4 vs 68.5 ± 31.7 hours; P <.001).

CONCLUSION: Our outcomes show that microperc may be preferred as an alternative to mini-PNL for the treatment of pediatric kidney stones of sizes 10-20 mm with comparable success and complication rates, as well as shorter hospitalization and fluoroscopy times.