Safety and efficacy of Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in the treatment of large impacted Proximal Ureteral Stones

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of large (≥15mm) impacted proximal ureteral stones.Methods: This was a prospective observational study and was conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Surgery, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar. A total of 60 patients were included in this study.Results: The mean age (in years) of patients was 38.5±9.31 and range 22-58, the male female ratio was 40:20, the disease laterality (right: left) was 48:12, the mean stone size (in mms) was 17.6±2.11. All the patients were having hydronephrotic kidneys, however, all the renal units were functional. The mean operative time (in minutes) was 62±9.62. The overall success rate was 96.7% after one month of follow-up the stone free rate was 96.7% while as the stone free rate on discharge was 86.7%. The mean hospital stays (in days) was 2.8±1.08. The overall complication rate in this study was 15 patients (25%) which include post-operative fever in 5 patients (8.33%), prolonged hematuria in 4 patients (6.67%), residual stone/disease after 4weeks of follow-up was seen in 2 patients (3.33%) and in 4 patients (6.67%) thoracic complication was seen. However, no ureteral injury, hollow visceral or pelvic perforation was noted. The post-operative analgesic requirement was 100±40.45mgs of Inj. Tramadol. The need of auxiliary procedures was required in 3.3% of patients.Conclusions: Mini-PCNL is both safe as well as an effective therapy for large impacted proximal ureteral stones with a higher success, stone clearance rate and with acceptable complications.