Transurethral Versus Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy for Bladder Stones in Adults

September 3, 2026 updated by: Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Aboliela, Assiut University

Transurethral Versus Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy for the Management of Bladder Stones in Adults: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study

This study evaluates and compares two minimally invasive surgical approaches for treating bladder stones in adult patients: transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) and percutaneous cystolithotripsy (PCCL).

Urinary bladder stones are commonly managed using endoscopic techniques to avoid the morbidity of open surgery. TUCL accesses the bladder through the natural urinary channel (urethra), whereas PCCL accesses the bladder directly through a small puncture in the lower abdomen above the pubic bone. While both approaches are effective, comparative data in adult populations remain limited.

Eligible participants are randomly assigned to receive either TUCL or PCCL. The primary goal is to compare stone clearance rates and operative times between the two procedures. Secondary objectives include comparing surgical complication rates, duration of postoperative urinary catheterization, and length of hospital stay.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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 aged 18 years or older
  • Diagnosed with single or multiple urinary bladder stones
  • Stone diameter between 1 and 4 cm at its largest diameter or cumulative stone diameter
  • Candidates for both transurethral and percutaneous endoscopic treatment modalities

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Uncorrected coagulopathy or bleeding disorders
  • Known urethral stricture or significant urethral pathology precluding safe transurethral instrumentation
  • History of bladder augmentation, major lower abdominal surgery, or pelvic radiotherapy
  • Concomitant bladder tumor or suspected bladder neoplasm
  • Stone located within a bladder diverticulum or within a contracted bladder
  • Requiring concomitant urological procedures during the same operative session (e.g., transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] or lower ureteric stone extraction)
  • Urethral stones pushed back into the bladder
  • Refusal to participate in the study

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
Active Comparator: Group A: Transurethral Cystolithotripsy (TUCL)
Participants undergo transurethral cystolithotripsy under spinal or general anesthesia. A rigid cystoscope is introduced through the urethra under direct vision. Bladder calculi are visualized and fragmented using a Mauermayer stone punch and/or pneumatic lithotripter via a semirigid ureteroscope. Stone fragments are evacuated using an Ellik evacuator and/or grasping forceps. Stone clearance and mucosal integrity are confirmed by cystoscopy, followed by insertion of a two-way urethral Foley catheter.
Procedure: Transurethral Cystolithotripsy
Under spinal or general anesthesia, a rigid cystoscope is introduced transurethrally under direct vision. Bladder calculi are visualized and fragmented using a Mauermayer stone punch and/or pneumatic lithotripter via a semirigid ureteroscope according to stone size and consistency. Stone fragments are evacuated using an Ellik evacuator and/or grasping forceps. Complete clearance and mucosal integrity are confirmed by cystoscopy, followed by insertion of a two-way urethral Foley catheter.
Active Comparator: Group B: Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy (PCCL)
Participants undergo percutaneous cystolithotripsy under spinal or general anesthesia. The bladder is filled retrogradely with 300-400 cc of sterile irrigation fluid via cystoscopy. Under ultrasound and cystoscopic guidance, a midline suprapubic puncture is performed with an 18G needle, followed by guidewire insertion, fascial dilation, and placement of a 30 F Amplatz sheath. Stones are fragmented with a pneumatic lithotripter via a 26 F nephroscope and extracted with grasping forceps. Postoperative drainage includes a urethral Foley catheter (with or without a suprapubic catheter).
Procedure: Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy
Under spinal or general anesthesia, the bladder is distended retrogradely with 300-400 cc sterile irrigation fluid via cystoscopy. Under combined ultrasound and cystoscopic guidance, a midline suprapubic percutaneous puncture is executed using an 18G needle, followed by guidewire placement, tract dilation, and insertion of a 30 F Amplatz working sheath. A 26 F rigid nephroscope is introduced, and calculi are fragmented using a pneumatic lithotripter and removed with grasping forceps. A urethral Foley catheter is placed postoperatively, with or without a suprapubic tube based on intraoperative findings.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Stone-Free Rate
Time Frame: 1 day
Stone-free status is defined as complete stone clearance or presence of clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) <= 2 mm confirmed by direct endoscopic inspection.
1 day

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Assiut 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 (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 3, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TUCL vs PCCL for Bladder Stone

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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