Simultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy for ureteral calculi combined with renal staghorn calculi

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of simultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy for ureteral calculi combined with contralateral renal staghorn calculi. MethodsThe present prospective controlled trial had been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR-ONRC-13004146). Patients with ureteral calculi and contralateral renal staghorn calculi were enrolled into the staged (ureteroscopic lithotripsy first followed by a staged percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or the simultaneous (synchronous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy) treatment group according to the odd or even number of the last hospitalization number. All patients signed informed consent. The primary outcomes were the stone-free rate and total hospital costs. The second outcomes were the operative and anesthesia times, the complication rate, and hospital stay. ResultsA total of 51 patients were enrolled into the staged group and 52 patients were enrolled into the simultaneous group. There were no statistically significant differences in patients' characteristics. The overall stone-free rate was 94.1% in the staged group and 92.3% in the simultaneous group. No severe complication was observed. The total hospital stay of the staged group was longer, and it was negatively correlated to different procedures. The cost in the staged group was higher, and it was correlated with total operation time and postoperative hospital stay. ConclusionsSimultaneous ureteroscopic lithotripsy and contralateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy represent safe and effective procedures, and they can be considered as a first-line treatment for selected patients presenting with ureteral calculi combined with contralateral renal calculi.