Comparison of Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy by Standard and Miniperc Instruments in Pediatric Population: A...

The objective of this study was to compare mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) performed by standard and Miniperc techniques in pediatric patients.

This was a retrospective study conducted at our institution between January 2012 and December 2017. The outcomes of pediatric renal stones treated by mini-PCNL done by Miniperc and standard techniques were compared in terms of the drop in the hemoglobin, stone-free rate, and analgesic requirement in the first 24 h.

A total of 57 children (age: 1-16 years), who underwent mini-PCNL by Miniperc equipment (n = 23) and standard equipment (n = 34), were included in this study. The postoperative mean drop in hemoglobin was significantly higher in mini-PCNL done by standard compared to the Miniperc technique. The stone-free rate was 95.65% in the Miniperc group and 94.12% in the standard mini-PCNL group. The need for analgesics was significantly lower in the Miniperc group compared to the standard mini-PCNL group (P = 0.0002). In the Miniperc group, the majority of the patients required only one dose of analgesics, whereas, in the standard mini-PCNL group, around 44% of the patients required three or more than three doses of analgesics to reduce postoperative pain.

Both the techniques were safe and efficacious in the management of pediatric renal stone and stone clearance. However, the Miniperc technique resulted in significantly less pain and a lower dosage of analgesics.