What the study found
Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), a kidney stone procedure done through the natural urinary passage, and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL), a smaller-access stone removal procedure, were both effective and safe for children with renal pelvic stones smaller than 2 cm and density above 1000 HU. RIRS had similar stone-free rates to mini-PCNL and was associated with less operative burden.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that both approaches are useful for managing these pediatric stones, and they say RIRS offers comparable efficacy with less invasiveness, shorter recovery, and lower radiation exposure. They also note that mini-PCNL remains a valuable option in anatomically complex or lower-calyceal cases.
What the researchers tested
The study was a prospective randomized clinical trial at Beni-Suef University Hospitals. It included 70 children aged 3 to 14 years with a single renal pelvic stone smaller than 2 cm and density greater than 1000 HU on low-dose non-contrast CT, randomized equally to RIRS or mini-PCNL.
What worked and what didn't
At one month, the stone-free rate was 91.4% for RIRS and 94.3% for mini-PCNL, with no significant difference. RIRS showed shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay, shorter catheterization time, and lower radiation exposure; hemoglobin drop was minimal in RIRS and greater in mini-PCNL, while complication rates were similar.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe longer-term follow-up beyond one month. It also does not provide detailed limitations, so scope constraints beyond the studied age group, stone size, stone density, and hospital setting are not described in the available summary.
Key points
- Both RIRS and mini-PCNL achieved high one-month stone-free rates in children.
- The stone-free rates were 91.4% for RIRS and 94.3% for mini-PCNL, with no significant difference.
- RIRS had shorter operative time, hospital stay, catheterization time, and lower radiation exposure.
- Hemoglobin drop was minimal in RIRS and greater in mini-PCNL.
- Complication rates were similar between the two procedures.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- RIRS and mini-PCNL were similarly effective for high-density pediatric kidney stones
- Authors:
- Ossama Mahmoud, Mahmoud Abdallah, Ahmed ElSayed Ahmed Abdellatif, Ahmed Hamdy Mostafa, Anas Albudairat, Akram A. Elmarakbi, Hany F. Badawy
- Institutions:
- Beni-Suef University, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-03
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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