Safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided low-pressure perfusion mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children aged 1–7 years: a retrospective observational study

Purpose 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. Methods The clinical data of 690 patients (805 renal units) aged 1–7 years were retrospectively analyzed in terms of postoperative outcome. Results The mean patient age was 3.7 ± 1.6 years, and the stone burden was 2.8 ± 2.1 cm 2 . 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. Conclusions This study suggests that ultrasound-guided MPCNL with low-pressure perfusion technology is a safe and feasible treatment.