title: Minimally Invasive ("Mini") Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Classification, Indications, and Outcomes.
abstract: Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures are often employed for the surgical removal of kidney stones. Traditionally, large stones are removed by (standard) percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SPCNL). Although effective for the clearance of large stone burdens, SPCNL is associated with significant morbidity. Therefore, in an effort to reduce this morbidity, while preserving efficacy, mini-PCNL (MPCNL) with a smaller tract size (<20 French) was developed. Several studies suggest that MPCNL has a comparable stone-free rate to SPCNL. However, the question of lower morbidity with MPCNL remains unanswered. In this review, we describe the equipment, indications, and efficacy of MPCNL with particular attention to its value over traditional minimally invasive stone removal techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Sasha C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Druskin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. jziemba1@jhmi.edu.|Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Brady Urological Institute, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. jziemba1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Justin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ziemba
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Lithotripsy; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Nephrolithiasis; Nephrostomy; Percutaneous