DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2020.v06i05.004

Pages: 228-231

Introduction and objective: Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (MINI-PCNL) and Retrograde Intra-Renal Surgery (RIRS) are 2 treatment modalities for renal stone disease. This study was undertaken to compare and assess the suitability among these two, with respect to our demographic settings, which is characterized by high stone burden, long waiting period and hence loss of working hours for economically challenged population. Methods: A randomized prospective study of patients presenting to our medical center from January 2018 to January 2020, diagnosed with renal-calculi of size between 1-2 cm and who underwent alternatively MINI-PCNL (N=50) and RIRS (N=50) were included in our study. Results: MINI-PCNL RIRS Stone-Free-Rate 96% 88% Hospital stay (mean-days) 2 3.5 Operative-time (mean-minutes) 38 68 Blood-transfusion required 4% Nil No. of Procedures 1 2.5 Conclusion: In a limited-resources setup with high patient burden, keeping in mind the socio-economic status of our patients, MINI-PCNL fared better than RIRS. Reduced operative time with better stone clearance, need for one operative sitting, reduced hospital stay, avoidance of stent related symptoms which decrease quality of life translating to loss of working hours, lesser need for antibiotic coverage, avoidance of psychological trauma of being subjected to multiple operation-room visits, all these benefits at the cost of slight increase in blood loss with potential need for transfusion, as the only factor MINI-PCNL asks for which can be easily covered up in view of plethora of benefits to patient and health care setup.