title: Advantages of tubeless mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of preschool children under 3 years old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tubeless mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) for treating renal calculi was introduced in response to concerns over the use of adult nephrolithotomy apparatus in small children. However, it is unclear whether tubeless mini-PCNL (MPCNL) is of any benefit in the treatment of children. This study therefore aimed to assess the possible benefits of MPCNL, as compared to standard PCNL, in preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-eight preschool children under 3 years with renal calculi were randomized into two groups (PCNL and MPCNL). Operative time, hemoglobin decrease, blood transfusion rate, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay in the two groups were statistically compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recovery time was significantly shorter for patients receiving MPCNL than those treated with standard PCNL (4.6 versus 7.7 days, P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treating preschool children with tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy has advantages over standard PCNL, including faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of urology, The First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
authors.forename: Guanglu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of urology, The First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of urology, The Hospital of Kepin County, Akesu 843000, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.affiliation: Department of urology, The First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China. Electronic address: medscisgl@126.com.
authors.forename: Yujie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods*; D061646:Operative Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Kidney stone; Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL); Preschool children; Tubeless