Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency and reliability of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and open surgery for pediatric urinary stone disease.
Methods: The retrospective analysis included 116 patients (69 PCNL, 47 open stone surgery). The stone surface area, stone-free rates, hospitalization time, blood transfusion rates, and the D-J implantation rates of patients in each group in whom PCNL and open surgery were performed were analyzed.
Results: The average age of the patients in the PCNL group was 10.01 ± 0.51 years, and in the open surgery group 8.55 ± 0.68 years. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in average age, stone surface area or stone-free rates. However, hospitalization time (PCNL 2.31 ± 0.46 days, open surgery 3.36 ± 0.64 days), blood transfusion rate (PCNL 10.1 %, open surgery 42.5 %) and D-J catheter implantation rate (PNL 7.24 %, open surgery 42.5 %) of patients who underwent PCNL were determined to be statistically low.
Conclusion: In light of the results, it is concluded that PCNL supersedes open surgery in terms of the use of advanced instruments and technological developments for modern pediatric surgery.