Research Article
Which One is More Effective for 15-25 Mm Renal Pelvis Stones? ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc or PNL
Engin Kaya1*, Turgay Ebiloglu1, Burak Köprü2, Giray Ergin2, Murat Zor1, Nahid Yunusov1, Mustafa Kıraç2 and Selahattin Bedir1
1Department of Urology, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Turkey
2Department of Urology, Koru Hospital, Turkey
*Corresponding author: Engin Kaya, Department of Urology, Gulhane Research and Training Hospital, Turkey
Published: 14 Sep, 2018
Cite this article as: Kaya E, Ebiloglu T, Köprü B, Ergin G,
Zor M, Yunusov N, et al. Which One
is More Effective for 15-25 Mm Renal
Pelvis Stones? ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc
or PNL. Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 2107.
Abstract
To compare the success of ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc and PNL for 15-25 mm renal pelvis stones in terms of Stone Free Status (SFR), Fluoroscopy Time (FT), Procedure Time (PT), Complication Rates (CR), and Cost Effectiveness (CE). Between January 2010 and January 2017, patients having 15-25mm renal pelvis stone were directed to the four different procedures: ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc or PNL. Patients having ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc or PNL were defined as group 1,2,3,4, respectively. The SFR, FT, PT, CR according to the Clavien Classification, and costs were noted. There were 196 patients with 49(25%), 49(25%), 25(12%), 73(37%) in group 1,2,3,4, respectively. Best SFR was achieved in group 4 on short and long term follow-up with 67% and 86% success rates. Hgb drop was not significant in groups except in group 4 (p=0.54,0.8,0.63,0.001 for group1,2,3,4). Creatinine change was not different in groups except in group 4 (p=0.82,0.863,0.746,0.042 for group1,2,3,4). FT and PT were shortest in group 1, FT was longest in group 4, and PT was longest in group 3. The CR was statistically different among groups, except miniperc and PNL. Group 1 was significantly cheaper from group 2,3,4 (p=0.001,0.009,0.01). Group 4 was cheaper than group 2 and 3 (p=0.002,0.005), and group 2 was cheaper than group 3 (p=0.03). For 15-25 mm renal pelvis stones, PNL is superior to ESWL, F-URS, and miniperc with best SFR, moderate CE and CR.
Introduction
Managing the stone disease with the highest possible success rate in a single setting using the
less costly technique is the aim of all endourologists in worldwide. Before 1950s, open stone removal
was the treatment of choice for all kind of stones [1]. However, since 1950s, technological advances
have changed the management algorithm for stone surgery by using of new instruments. In 1976,
Fernstrom et al defined Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL) technique through a nephrostomy
tract [2]. In 1983, first use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for adults was
reported, and caused a complete change in the management [3]. In 1990, Fuchs et al. published the
first report of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) procedure [4]. In 1998, Jackman et al. described
the technique of minipercutaneus nephrolithtotomy (miniperc) using a 11 Fr vascular sheath for
infants and preschool children [5].
Current EAU guideline for urolithiasis recommends ESWL and other endourology techniques
for renal stones between 10 mm to 20 mm and for larger stones than 20 mm, PNL, F-URS or ESWL
are recommended to manage the best success rate [6]. However, every technique has its’ own
advantages or disadvantages: ESWL seems to be the non-invasive method, but has lower Stone Free
Rate (SFR), or PNL seems to have best SFR, but more complications. F-URS and miniperc (<20Fr)
have been gaining attention for smaller stones in the area of ESWL and PNL with lower risk of
complications and sufficient SFR [7]. Generally, SFR was reported to be >80% for F-URS, miniperc
and PNL, but 25% to 65% for ESWL.
In this research, our hypothesis was whether or not one of the techniques “ESWL, F-URS,
Miniperc or PNL” is superior to the other in terms of SFR, Fluoroscopy Time (FT) Procedure Time
(PT), Complication Rates (CR), and Cost Effectiveness (CE) for 15-25mm renal pelvis stones.
Materials and Methods
This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of our Institute and followed the Institution’s
Review Board of Human Subject Guidelines. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of 15 mm to
25 mm renal pelvis stones between January 2010 and January 2017 in a different center. The data
regarding SFRs, FT, PT, CR according to the Clavien Classification
[8], and costs were retrospectively noted. All patients who had
undergone ESWL, F-URS, Miniperc or PNL were grouped as group
1,2,3 and 4, respectively. The short and long-term comparisons were
made. Short term outcomes consisted of the comparisons between
pre-operative and postoperative first day Hemoglobin (Hgb), serum
urea and creatinine, SFRs evaluated with KUB. Long-term outcomes
documented by the comparison of preoperative and postoperative
third month SFRs evaluated with CT. Stone-free status was defined
as no residual fragments on radiologic evaluation with KUB at
postoperative 1. day, and CT at postoperative 3. month. Residual
stones <4 mm with no pain were defined as non-significant residual
stones (NSRS). Residual stones <4 mm with pain, and residual stones
>4 mm were defined as Significant Residual Stone (SRS).
ESWL was applied using the Siemens Lithoscope (TAZK07892)
ESWL machine. F-URS was applied using Storz Flex X2 and 9.5 F
ureteral access sheath was used (UAS). The miniperc was applied
using the 10F semirigid Karl Storz nephroscope and PNL was applied
using 26F semirigid Olympos nephroscope.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences 20.0 software (SPSS 20.0 for MAC). Descriptive statistics
were noted with mean (minimum-maximum), numbers, and
percentiles. Shapiro-Wilk, Kurtosis, and Skewness Tests were used
to assess the variables’ normalization. The Mann-Whitney U Test
was used to compare the pre and post procedure independent scale
parameters. The Wilcoxon Test was used to compare the pre and post
procedure dependent scale parameters. Chi-square test was used to
compare the stone-free status. Probability of p<0.05 was accepted as
statistically significant.
Table 1
Results
There were 196 patients with 49(25%), 49(25%), 25(12%) and
73(37%) in group 1,2,3 and 4, respectively. There were 36(74%)
males and 13(26%) females in group 1, 35(71%) males and 14(28%)
females in group 2, 17(68%) males and 8(32%) females in group 3,
and 60(82%) males and 13(18%) females in group 4. The mean patient
age was 41.95(21-78), 40.83(22-79), 43.90(28-70) and 41.04(21-83)
in group1,2,3 and 4, respectively. Demographic characteristics of
patients were not statistically different among groups (p=0.982)
(Table1). The stone size, Hgb and creatinine levels, FT, PT, urethral
stenting status, and complication were summarized in Table 2.
Stone- free status was summarized in Table 3. Most of the stones
were located at right kidney among all groups (Table 2). Best SFR
was achieved in group4 on short and long term follow-up with 67%
and 86% success rates. Hgb drop was not significant in groups except
in group 4. Creatinine change was not different in groups except in
group 4. JJ stent insertion rate was lowest in group 1, and highest in
group 3 and 4. FT and PT were shortest in group 1, FT was longest
in group 4, and PT was longest in group 3. The CR was statistically
different among groups, except miniperc and PNL.
The cost was calculated to be 103.4, 798.57, 822.79 and 416,76
Euro per patient for group1,2,3 and 4, respectively. Group 1 was
significantly cheaper from group 2,3 and 4 (p=0.001,0.009,0.01).
Group 4 was cheaper than group 2 and 3 (p=0.002,0.005), and group
2 was cheaper than group 3 (p=0.03).
Discussion
In order to express the success of a treatment modality for a
stone disease, authors report their operational results emphasizing on
different aspects like SFR, resolution of the pain, FT, PT, CR or CE.
However, most reports compare only two treatment procedures. The
main superiority of this article is that we compared four techniques
for the treatment of a renal pelvis stone. A stone in renal pelvis
location makes us think using different techniques for the treatment
due to easy reach and probable spontaneous expulsion for a residue.
To our knowledge, limited data was reported for the treatment renal
pelvis stones.
In the terms of Stone Free Rates (SFR), El-Nasah et al. [9]
reported 87% SFR at third month and also reported that there was
no difference of disintegration between renal pelvis and non-pelvis
stones. Deem et al. [10] reported 33% SFR at third month for renal
stones by using ESWL. They also examined the stone locations,
but there wasn’t enough patient to refine the SFR for a renal pelvis
stone. Resorlu et al. [11] reported 67% SFR for ESWL, but they did
not analyze the difference among stone locations. Kruck et al. [12]
reported 39.3% SFR for non-lower pole stones using ESWL. In our
study, we detected 46% SFR at third month in ESWL group. Our
results seem to be similar to the literature, but the difference was
that we only examined the renal pelvis stone, excluding the other
locations. While comparing ESWL with other techniques, Kruck et al.
[12] encouraged the use of miniperc or F- URS rather than ESWL for
stones >1cm. They reported miniperc, F-URS and ESWL had 77.3%,
72.7%, and 14.8% SFR for lower pole stones, and 80.4%, 69.2%, and
39.3% for non-lower pole stones, respectively. Another multicenter
study reported 83.6%, 86.1%, and 77.2% SFR in miniperc, F-URS,
and ESWL, respectively [13]. In our study, we detected 81%, 82%
and 46% SFR in miniperc, F-URS, and ESWL, respectively. Although
SFR between miniperc and F-URS was similar; SRS in two techniques
made a statistically significant difference favoring the use of F-URS
for a renal pelvis stone. Only, Hassan et al. [14] compared the ESWL
and PNL for 20 mm to 30 mm renal pelvis stone and reported 75%
and 95% success, respectively. Our results were compatible with the
literature with 46% and 86% SFR in ESWL and PNL, respectively. Pan
et al. [15] reported the use of F-URS and miniperc for 20 mm to 30 mm
stones with 40% and 57% SFR, respectively. While comparing PNL
and F-URS for renal pelvis stones >20 mm, Bryniarski et al. reported
81% and 50% SFR, respectively [16]. Ozturk et al. [17] reported the
use of PNL and F-URS for 10 mm to 20 mm lower pole stones with
94% and 73% SFR. Mishra et al. [7] compared the miniperc and PNL
for 10 mm to 20 mm renal stones, and reported 96% and 100% SFR,
respectively. In our study, SFR was not statistically different between
miniperc and PNL, but there was a statistically difference between
F-URS and PNL. This difference was mainly caused by the distinct
percent of SRSs between F-URS and PNL.
Hgb drop, creatinine change, FT, PT, and CR were the other
important parameters to decide a treatment modality for a stone
disease. Many reports compared the Hgb drop for operational
techniques, but it was not reported for ESWL. In this research, we
also reported Hbg drop for ESWL, and preop. and postop. creatinine
levels was all groups. Pearle et al. [18] reported 65.5 min PT for ESWL.
In a study, Hgb drop, and FT were reported to be less in F-URS, but
the PT was less in miniperc group. The CR was not different in both
groups [19]. Another study supported the same results [20]. Pan et
al. [15] reported the mean PT to be 73.07 ± 13.5 and 62.39 ± 10.6
min in F-URS and miniperc groups, respectively, and Hbg drop was
significantly higher in miniperc group. Contrary to studies above,
Akbulut et al. [20] reported shorter PT, but similar Hgb drop and
FT for F-URS compared to miniperc. Looking from the aspect of
PNL, PNL was reported to have larger Hgb drop and CR compared
to F-URS [21]. Resorlu et al. [11] reported significantly higher blood
transfusion rates, FT and PT in PNL compared to F-URS. In the same
study, they also reported higher CR for PNL compared to ESWL
and F-URS. Mishra reported more Hgb drop for PNL, but more PT
for miniperc. However, they did not report the FT. Giusti et al. [22]
also reported the similar results [22]. In our research, Hgb drop was
significant in PNL group, but not in the others. When calculating
the creatinine change, there was a significant decrease in PNL group.
Despite the significant Hgb drop in PNL group, there was no need for
blood transfusion, and it did not make any chance on CR according
to the Clavien Classification. The CR was statistically different among
groups, except miniperc and PNL. FT and PT were detected to be
least in ESWL group. The longest FT was in PNL group, and the
longest PT was in miniperc group. The lengthy PT in miniperc group
was due to diminished visibility and need for prolonged lithotripsy.
In our research, a JJ stent insertion rate was detected to be least in
ESWL group. For renal stones, Mohayuddin et al. [123] reported no
benefit of SFR using JJ stents for ESWL, and Ozyuvali et al reported no
benefit for F-URS [24]. Due to reports similar to the ones mentioned,
we applied JJ stents if there was a symptom of renal colic after ESWL
and F-URS procedure. For miniperc and PNL, we routinely applied a
JJ stent insertion antegradely due to the lack of the literature.
CE is an economic evaluation of different procedures for the
same health problem. It is mostly important when a less expensive
and similar or more successful procedure was detected. Limited data
was reported for CE examining the treatment modalities for renal
stones. Pan reported no CE difference between F-URS and miniperc,
but more SFR in miniperc [15]. Bagcioglu reported better SFR and
CE for miniperc than F-URS [25]. In our research, ESWL was the
least costly method, but has the lowest SFR. PNL was the less costly
method among operational procedures and had the highest SFT
among all procedures.
Patient size is the main limitation of our study. More patients,
especially in miniperc group, will reveal better results about this
subject. We didn’t add the laboratory tests for CE due to minimally
effect on procedures and comparison. We didn’t compare the
complications about general and local anesthesia for ESWL and other
operational procedures.
Table 2
Conclusion
For 15 mm to 25 mm renal pelvis stones, PNL is superior than ESWL, F-URS, and miniperc with best SFR, moderate CE and CR.
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