Super-Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Versus Flexible Ureteroscopy for Renal Stones ≤20 mm: A Randomized Controlled Trial

January 19, 2026 updated by: Hanoi Medical University

SUPER-MINI PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY VERSUS FLEXIBLE URETEROSCOPY FOR RENAL STONES 20 MM OR LESS: A SINGLE-CENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ASSESSING COST - ANALYSIS AND SAFETY IN NORTHERN VIETNAM

Kidney stones measuring 20 mm or less are commonly managed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Two widely used approaches are Super-mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (SMP) and Flexible Ureteroscopy (fURS). Although both techniques are considered effective and safe, they differ in surgical approach, use of disposable equipment, postoperative recovery, and treatment cost. In resource-limited settings, economic considerations may play an important role in treatment selection.

This single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, to compare clinical outcomes, safety, and direct medical costs of SMP versus fURS in patients with renal stones ≤20 mm. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either SMP or fURS.

The primary outcome was the stone-free rate assessed by postoperative imaging. Secondary outcomes included operative time, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, hemoglobin drop, and total direct treatment cost per case. The results of this study aim to provide evidence to support clinical decision-making for the management of renal stones, particularly in healthcare settings with limited resources.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

72

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Vietnam
      • Hanoi, Vietnam, 100000
        • Bach Mai Hospital, Department of Urology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult patients (≥18 years of age).
  • Patients with renal stones measuring ≤20 mm in maximal diameter on preoperative imaging.
  • No prior surgical or interventional procedure during the same hospital admission.
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy.
  • Coagulation disorders or bleeding diathesis contraindicating surgery.
  • Contraindications to either Super-mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (SMP) or Flexible Ureteroscopy (fURS).
  • Patients undergoing SMP or fURS for ureteral stones that migrated back into the kidney.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: SMP group
Procedure: Super-mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Surgical removal of renal stones using super-mini PCNL technique
Experimental: fURS group
Procedure: Flexible Ureteroscopy
Endoscopic treatment of renal stones using flexible ureteroscope

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Stone-free rate (SFR)
Time Frame: 1 month after surgery
Stone-free rate was defined as the absence of residual stone fragments >4 mm in maximal diameter on postoperative imaging. Stone-free status was assessed using plain abdominal radiography (KUB) on postoperative day 1 and non-contrast computed tomography (CT) at 1 month after surgery. The stone-free rate was determined based on the 1-month CT findings.
1 month after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hanoi Medical University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 31, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 19, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • No. 876/GCN-HĐĐĐNCYSH-ĐHYHN

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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