Comparing the outcomes of papillary and non-papillary access in percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Some publications have recently been released on the safety of non-papillary access (NPA) in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) by a Greek group. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the outcome of NPA during two years in a referral center.

This prospective cohort study was conducted on PCNL operations performed from January 2020 to April 2022 in Labbafinejad Hospital. In cases in which obtaining papillary access (PA) was not obtainable after several attempts and NPA was obtained, or in cases in whom after entry to the pyelocalyceal system, a NPA was observed, the cases were categorized in the NPA group (n = 67). The control group (PA) was composed of patients who had undergone PCNL with papillary access with similar stone bulk (n = 67). The primary endpoints of interest were hemoglobin drop and transfusion frequency. The secondary endpoint included: stone free rate (SFR), operation duration, and complications.

A total of 134 patients were enrolled during the study period which included 33 female patients (25%). The mean ± SD age of patients was 49.6 ± 13.2 years. The frequency of transfusion and residual stones was not different between NPA and PA groups: 6 (9%) versus 8 (11%), P = 0.29; and 16 (24%) versus 12 (18%), P = 0.26. Likewise, the operation time (87.6 ± 25.8 versus 90.2 ± 22.6 min, P = 0.45), and the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications were not different between the NPA and PA groups.

The results of this prospective study did not reveal a higher frequency of residual stones, transfusion, or complications in the NPA group. Nevertheless, our study is not powered enough to reveal complications of low frequency including delayed bleeding.