Comparison of the efficacy of flexible ureteroscope and percutaneous nephroscope in the treatment of stone remnants after percutaneous nephroscope

Objective To compare the efficacy of flexibl3e ureteroscope and percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) in the treatment of stone remnants after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Methods From October 2012 to September 2018, 68 cases of stone remnants after percutaneous nephrolithotomy were treated by flexible ureteroscopy (flexible ureteroscope group) and 67 cases of stone remnants were treated by PCNL (second-stage PCNL group). Results The total stone removal rate was 85.29% (58/68) at 4 weeks after operation in the flexible ureteroscopy group, and 80.60% (54/67) in the second-stage PCNL group.The operation time of patients in the flexible ureteroscopy group was longer than that in the second-stage PCNL group, and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that in the PCNL group(P<0.05). The total stone removal rate of renal upper and middle calculi and multiple stone ureteroscope was higher than that of the second stage PCNL group, and the total stone removal rate of the second stage PCNL group was lower than that of the second stage PCNL group(P<0.05). Conclusions Flexible ureteroscope is a safe and reliable method for the treatment of upper and middle calices and multiple stone remnants. The second stage PCNL for the treatment of renal lower calculi stone has the advantages of complete stone removal and short operative time, especially for large stone remnants, which is still the main treatment method at present. Key words: Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; Ureteroscopy