Comparing effectivenesses of percutaneous nephrolithotomy, retrograde intrarenal surgery and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy performed treatment of renal stones localizated at lower pole calyxes

Aim: In our study, we aimed to compare success rate of extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolitotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) which are minimal invasive surgical techniques that used for treatment of lower pole kidney stones. For this purpose, we compared 3 groups using gender, age, stone size, operation side and postoperative infection rate as our criterias. Patients and Method: A total of 275 patients were included in the study, including 125 ESWL, 125 PCNL and 25 RIRS patients. In all of the groups pre operative examinations, surgical positions and procedures, anesthesia protocols were same. Same procedures were performed for ESWL patients. Stone free rate, age, amount of stone, operation side, postoperative infection rates were compared between these groups. Results: In comparison, there was no statistically significant difference between groups In terms of gender, age and operation side (p>0,05). However, there was statistically significant difference in terms of stone-free rate (p<0,05). PCNL has the highest stone-free rate (% 80.8), then RIRS (% 64) comes after it and ESWL (% 55,2) had the lowest rate. Conclusion: As results of our study, PCNL, that has the highest stone free rate and lowest postoperative infection rate, is the most effective technique for treatment of lower pole kidney stones. RIRS and ESWL come after it. Keywords: Kidney lower pole Stone, PCNL, ESWL, RIRC