Retrograde intrarenal surgery with intelligent pressure control: experience from a primary hospital in China.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of conventional retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and RIRS with intelligent pressure control, as well as to identify factors influencing the stone-free rate (SFR).

Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 101 patients treated with either conventional RIRS or RIRS with intelligent pressure control from September 2023 to September 2024. Clinical and stone-related parameters were collected for comparison between the two methods, and factors affecting SFR were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: The SFR was significantly higher in the intelligent pressure control group compared to the conventional RIRS group (89.8% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.032). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding operative time or post-operative hospital stays. The incidence of post-operative fever was lower in the intelligent pressure control group than in the conventional RIRS group (2.0% vs. 9.8%), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.205). Univariate analysis identified stone size, stone density, number, location, and surgical method as factors associated with SFR. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that stone size, density, and surgical method significantly impacted SFR.

Conclusion: RIRS with intelligent pressure control significantly improves the stone-free rate compared to conventional RIRS, without increasing complications, hospitalization duration, or operative time. Additionally, stone size and density were influential factors for SFR.