This article analyzed the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) with low-pressure perfusion for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones in children.
The clinical data of 690 patients (805 renal units) aged 1-7 years were retrospectively analyzed in terms of postoperative outcome.
The mean patient age was 3.7 ± 1.6 years, and the stone burden was 2.8 ± 2.1 cm. A middle posterior calyceal puncture was created in 719 (89%) renal units, and 16F puncture tracts were the most common method used in 557 (69%) renal units. The stone-free rate was 711 (88%) renal units, and the mean operation time was 35 ± 15.3 min (between 15 and 110 min). Among all cases, the transfusion rate was 4 (0.6%) patients, and the mean decrease in hemoglobin was 1.3 ± 0.9 g/L. In addition, the incidence rates of fever, sepsis, perirenal effusion, and intraperitoneal effusion were 40 (5.9%), 3 (0.4%), 28 (4.1%), and 8 (1.2%) patients, respectively. After the operation, 348 patients were followed-up for 32.8 ± 11.3 months, and stone recurrence occurred in 136 (39%) of 348 patients.
This study suggests that ultrasound-guided MPCNL with low-pressure perfusion technology is a safe and feasible treatment.

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