Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery Versus Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Pediatric nephrolithiasis accounts for approximately 2-3% of all stone disease cases, with recent reports indicating a rising prevalence of up to 10.6%.Multiple treatment modalities are currently available, ranging from non-invasive pharmacologic options to minimally invasive techniques such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Treatment selection is primarily guided by stone size, location, and complexity. Importantly, the chosen intervention should aim to achieve a high stone-free rate (SFR) with the lowest possible complication rate.

Minimally invasive technique is considered the first-line of treatment for renal stones in children due to its favorable safety profile and minimally invasive nature. In such cases, endourological options like RIRS and mini-PCNL serve as favourable line of treatments.

RIRS is a minimally invasive procedure that offers advantages such as reduced perioperative morbidity, lower bleeding risk, and quicker recovery compared to mini PCNL. Nonetheless, its stone clearance rate may be inferior to mini PCNL, particularly for larger stones. RIRS often requires DJ stenting and may lead to repeated interventions, which can result in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and negative impact on quality of life.

Mini-PCNL, although highly effective, carries a higher risk of complications, including bleeding and adjucnt oragan injury particularly due to tract dilation.To reduce these risks, modified PCNL techniques have been introduced, such as ultramini-PCNL, and micro-PCNL. These smaller-caliber systems have demonstrated greater safety profiles in children and higher efficacy than ESWL, making them promising in pediatric stone management.