Outcome of Miniperc Technique in Paediatric Age Group: A Prospective Interventional Study

Introduction: Reducing the Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) tract size in paediatric patients with renal stones reduces the morbidity associated with the procedure. Miniperc (Mini PCNL) is a modification of standard PCNL using small size instruments.

Aim: To evaluate the postoperative outcome of Miniperc technique in the treatment of renal stones in paediatric age group.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective interventional study conducted at the Department of Urology, Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College & Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India from January 2020 to January 2022. There were 25 patients of renal stone disease belonging to paediatric age group (<8 years), operated by a single surgeon with the Miniperc technique. For all the cases 14F-16F sheaths, 12 Fr Nephroscope and 8-9.5 Fr semirigid ureteroscope, pneumatic lithotripsy and 30-Watt Holmium laser as energy sources were used. Stone Free Rate (SFR), operative time, hospital stay, and complication rates were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0.

Results: The mean age of the children was 5.2±3.2 years and the average stone size was 1.9 cm. Mean operative time was 74 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. The overall SFR was 89.7%, (N=22) which increased after secondary procedures to 94.12% (N=23). Intraoperative bleeding was seen in 3 (12%) patients and postoperative fever in 4 (16%) patients.

Conclusion: Miniperc is a promising and safe technique for paediatric renal stone disease management.