Liu Y, et al. - This trial incorporated a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP, F12-F14) and Miniperc (F18) in the treatment of renal stones of 2–4 cm in size. Both SMP and Miniperc demonstrated equal efficacy for the treatment of moderate renal calculi. A prominent advantage was noted in the hospital duration and tubeless rate due to SMP.

Methods

• The plot of this trial was a prospective comparative analysis.
• Researchers discerned the outcomes of patients who underwent SMP and Miniperc for treatment of 2-4 cm renal stones between July 2014 and January 2017.
• A comparative scrutiny was carried out of the demographic data, stone criteria, operative technique, complications, blood transfusion, hemoglobin decrease, stone-free rate (SFR) and length of hospital stay between the two groups.
• With the intention of additional comparison, propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis was conducted.

Results

• A total of 79 and 257 patients underwent SMP and Miniperc, respectively.
• Experts allocated 73 patients in each group after matching.
• Both groups illustrated comparable stone burden (3.0 ± 1.1 vs 3.2 ± 0.7 cm, p=0.577).
• No prominent variation was disclosed among both groups with regard to the mean operation time (p=0.115).
• In contrast, shorter hospital stay was noted due to SMP when compared to Miniperc (2.6 ± 1.4 vs 5.2 ± 1.8, p < 0.0001).
• Findings displayed similar SFRs in postoperative 1 day and at 1 month follow-up (p=0.326, p=0.153) in both groups.
• However, a substantially higher tubeless rate was attained via SMP when compared to Miniperc (84.9 vs 47.9%, p<0.0001).
• Data exhibited considerably lower total complication rate in SMP (16.4 vs 41.1%, p=0.0001).
• In addition, the SIRS rate was notably lower in the SMP group (1.4 vs 12.3%, p=0.009).