Effectiveness of retrograde intrarenal stone surgery in obese patients

A number of comorbid health problems can be found in obese patients. These problems increase the surgical risk in obese patients.

To determine the effectiveness of retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stone treatment in obese patients.

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 106 patients who had retrograde intrarenal surgery with the diagnosis of renal stone in our clinic. The patients were divided into three groups regarding their body mass indexes: ≥30 kg/m² being obese (group 1), 25-29.9 kg/m² being overweight (group 2), and <25 kg/m² being normal weight (group 3). The patients were compared for age, gender, and stone characteristics. In addition, the duration of surgery, stone-free rate (SFR), complication rate, and the duration of the hospital stay were compared among the groups.

Twenty eight patients were obese (group 1), 49 patients were overweight (group 2), and 29 patients were normal weight (group 3). The mean ages of groups 1, 2 and 3 were 51.5 (29-84), 47 (30-76) and 35 (19-84) years, respectively (p = 0.001). SFR was 85.7 % in group 1, 89.8 % in group 2, and 75.9 % in group 3 (p = 0.24). The duration of surgery was similar in groups 1, 2, and 3, being 45.5 (25-95), 50 (30-120), and 45.5 (10-100) min, respectively (p = 0.23). None of the patients had major complications.

Our results indicate that retrograde intrarenal surgery is a safe and efficient surgical method for renal stone treatment in obese and overweight patients.