Application of a Self-Made Negative Pressure Suction-Assisted Device in Micro-Channel Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

This study aims to investigate the effect of a self-made negative pressure suction-assisted device on intrarenal pressure (IRP), surgical efficiency, and postoperative complications in micro-channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL).

This retrospective study included 97 patients with renal calculi who underwent mPCNL at Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between January 2023 and August 2025. Patients were divided into two groups: an observation group (n = 50) that received negative pressure suction-assisted mPCNL and a control group (n = 47) that underwent conventional mPCNL. The baseline characteristics, intraoperative IRP-related parameters, operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.

There were no significant differences between groups in baseline characteristics, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and stone parameters (p > 0.05). The mean intraoperative IRP was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (15.71 ± 3.62 mmHg vs. 19.19 ± 5.13 mmHg; p < 0.001). The cumulative duration of high IRP (>30 mmHg) was significantly shorter in the observation group (16.68 ± 2.59 seconds vs. 24.73 ± 7.53 seconds; p < 0.001). However, both the total operative time (46.11 ± 18.79 minutes) and lithotripsy/stone extraction time (29.57 ± 14.35 minutes) were significantly shorter in the observation group than in the control group (54.81 ± 20.78 minutes and 36.98 ± 16.00 minutes, respectively; p < 0.05). Furthermore, both the initial postoperative SFR (88.00% vs. 87.23%; p > 0.05) and the final SFR (94.00% vs. 95.74%; p > 0.05) did not differ between groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative fever and urosepsis among the groups (p > 0.05). The decrease in postoperative hemoglobin was also similar between the groups (p = 0.151).

The self-made negative pressure suction-assisted device during mPCNL can effectively reduce intraoperative IRP, shorten operative time, and improve surgical efficiency, without increasing the risk of postoperative complications, demonstrating favorable clinical utility.