Mini-track, mini-nephroscopy, mini-ultrasonic probe percutaneous nephrolithotomy and its initial clinical application

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Nephrolithiasis Treatment

Background:

• Assessing the efficacy of mini-track, mini-nephroscopy, and mini-ultrasonic probe percutaneous nephrolithotomy for upper ureteral and kidney stones.
• Evaluating outcomes in patients with diverse stone burdens, including single, multiple, and staghorn calculi.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mini-track percutaneous nephrolithotomy for upper urinary tract stones.
• To determine the stone-free rate (SFR) and complication profile associated with this minimally invasive procedure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection from 53 patients (55 kidney units) undergoing the procedure between September 2020 and March 2021.
• Inclusion of patients with single, multiple, and staghorn upper ureteral and kidney stones.
• Subgroup analysis comparing outcomes for calculi <40 mm versus ≥40 mm.

Main Results:

• Mean operative duration was 50.6 minutes, with a mean lithotripsy/removal time of 17.2 minutes.
• The overall stone-free rate at discharge was 89.1% (49/55), with a mean postoperative hospital stay of 4.0 days.
• Larger calculi (≥40 mm) were associated with longer operative times, higher complication rates (13.0% vs. 3.3%), and lower SFR compared to smaller stones.

Conclusions:

• Mini-track percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective treatment for upper ureteral and kidney stones.
• The procedure demonstrates excellent stone-free rates and a low complication profile, especially for stones in the 20-40 mm size range.
• This minimally invasive approach offers a viable option for managing complex nephrolithiasis.