Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Initial North American Experience

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Nephrolithotomy

Background:

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a standard treatment for kidney stones.
• Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MIP) utilizes a novel technique for stone evacuation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MIP) in a single institution.
• To assess the stone-free rate and complication profile of MIP.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 60 patients undergoing MIP between 2017-2019.
• Analysis of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables including CT imaging for stone-free status.

Main Results:

• 43% of patients were stone-free post-MIP; 39% had residual fragments >4mm.
• 60% of patients were discharged same-day; 17% experienced complications (Clavien III or lower).
• Ultrasound-guided access was used in 51% of cases.

Conclusions:

• MIP demonstrates acceptable outcomes comparable to other stone treatment modalities.
• The precise role of MIP in renal stone disease requires further investigation through critical outcome assessments.