Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with Ureter Catheter: A Safe and Effective form of mPCNL Offers Better Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes and postoperative quality of life (QoL) among patients with kidney stone who received mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL), partial tubeless mPCNL or mPCNL with ureter catheter in a prospective randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

From May 2017 to December 2017, 60 patients with kidney stone who underwent mPCNL were randomized into 3 groups: Group I (mPCNL), Group II (partial tubeless mPCNL), Group III (mPCNL with ureter catheter). We evaluated perioperative characteristics, stone clearance, analgesic requirements and QoL by using the Wisconsin Stone QOL questionnaire.

RESULTS

The age, gender, stone diameter, body mass index, length of operation, drop in hemoglobin and stone-free rates for the 3 groups were similar among these groups. However, the postoperative visual analog scale and the analgesic requirement in Group II were significantly the lowest (p < 0.05). According to Wisconsin Stone QOL questionnaire, compared to Group I, statistical significant difference in the QoL was seen in Group II and III, indicating a meaningful and immediate improvement in the postoperative QoL following mPCNL.

CONCLUSION

Compared with standard and partial tubeless mPCNL, mPCNL with ureter catheter is a safe and useful form of mPCNL, which can offer better QoL and is more cost effective.