Role Of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery In Management Of Renal Stones: Single Center Experience

With the advancements in endourologic technology, in the last 30 years, renal stone treatment has dramatically changed, and minimally invasive treatments options, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), mini-PCNL, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) or laparoscopy, have replaced open surgery.

Although, minimally invasive treatment modalities have an excellent stone fragmentation rate, the clearance of stone fragments may not be immediate and can occur for any time after the intervention.

The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines, recommends PCNL for renal stones greater than 2 cm, and SWL is suggested primarily for stones less than 1 cm in size. Although SWL, RIRS and PCNL are all presented as treatment options for renal stones between, which application is a matter of preference.

The treatment modality selection of renal stones usually depends on stone-related factors (location, size, and composition), clinical factors (patient's comorbidities, patient's compliance, solitary kidney, and abnormal anatomy), and technical factors (equipment available for treatment, success rates, possible complications, invasiveness, the need for anesthetics, hospitalization times, and costs).

PCNL can achieve better results but is more invasive, is associated with greater morbidity and complications, and may be reserved for selected circumstances.