ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy (FUL) for unilateral lower-calyceal calculi with the diameter of 10-20 mm. Methods The clinical data of 65 patients with unilateral lower-calyceal calculi with the diameter of 10-20 mm were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty cases were treated with PCNL (PCNL group), and 35 cases were treated with FUL (FUL group). The operative time, success rate of lithotomy, haemoglobin decrease after operation, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenses and complication were compared between 2 groups. Results Treatment was completed successfully in the patients of 2 groups, without ureteral perforation, avulsion and other serious complications intraoperatively and postoperatively. There were no statistical differences in success rate of lithotripsy, incidence of high fever after operation and postoperative analgesia rate between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operative time and hospitalization expenses in FUL group were significantly higher than those in PCNL group:(95.27 ± 22.69) min vs. (62.25 ± 20.73) min and (17 242 ± 2 679) yuan vs. (14 205 ± 1 654) yuan, and the haemoglobin decrease after operation and postoperative hospital stay time were significantly lower than those in PCNL group:(0.67 ± 0.33) g/L vs. (7.98 ± 4.33) g/L and (3.75 ± 0.78) d vs. (6.54 ± 1.68) d, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusions For the treatment of lower-calyceal calculi with the diameter of 10-20 mm, the success rates of lithotripsy of PCNL and FUL are similar. FUL has less trauma, with shorter postoperative hospital stay time, but the cost is relatively high.
