WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Minh Le Tran*

ABSTRACT

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in treating kidney stones. A combined retrospective and prospective descriptive study was conducted on 92 patients with kidney stones treated using mini-PCNL at Can Gio District Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, from January 2023 to June 2024. The procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance, utilizing a 16 Fr Karl-Storz nephroscope and holmium laser for stone fragmentation. Outcomes evaluated included the stone-free rate and postoperative complications. Of the 92 patients, 60 were male (65.2%) and 32 were female (34.8%), with an average age of 52 ± 11.76 years (range: 19–70). Single stones were present in 73.9% of cases, while 26.1% had multiple stones. Preoperative MSCT revealed no hydronephrosis or grade I hydronephrosis in 21.7% and 42.7% of patients, respectively, grade II in 28.3%, and grade III in 7.6%. The average stone length was 25.7 ± 5.9 mm, and the average width was 16.3 ± 2.5 mm. The mean operative time was 71.86 ± 15.09 minutes (range: 45–80 minutes). The postoperative stone-free rate was 79.3%, increasing to 90.2% at the one-month follow-up. Eighty patients were followed for an average of 20 ± 6 months. Two patients experienced ureteral stone fragments requiring retrograde ureteral lithotripsy, and one patient developed ureteral stenosis requiring double-J stenting. No cases of blood transfusion, renal atrophy, kidney failure, or sepsis were reported. The average postoperative hospital stay was 7.67 ± 3.21 days (range: 4–10 days). Mini-PCNL has been successfully implemented at Can Gio District Medical Center with promising initial outcomes, including a high stone-free rate, shorter hospital stays, and no significant complications. Further studies are recommended to comprehensively evaluate its safety and efficacy in managing larger kidney stones.