Comparative Analysis of Super-Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for the Management of Renal Calculi ≤2 cm Among Somali Population.

Limited data have explored the efficacy of super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in managing ≤2 cm renal calculi. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SMP compared with RIRS. This prospective cohort study investigated 210 patients with renal calculi (≤2 cm) undergoing SMP or RIRS, randomly recruited over 4 years. In total, 51.4% underwent SMP and 48.6% underwent RIRS. The mean patient age was 31.3 ± 14.7 years; 56.7% were men, mean stone size of 1.3 ± 0.28 cm, and stone hardness of 1190.1 ± 352.83 Hounsfield units. Pearson's correlation indicated negative correlations for SMP with hospital stays ( = -0.138,  = 0.046), operating time ( = -0.519,  < 0.001), and stone-free rate (SFR) ( = -0.161,  = 0.020); and a positive correlation with a postoperative ureteral catheter ( = +0.389,  < 0.001). With regard to RIRS, the study shows a positive correlation with hospital stay ( = +0.138,  = 0.046), operating time ( = +0.519,  < 0.001), and SFR ( = +0.161,  = 0.020); and a negative correlation with postoperative ureteral catheter ( = -0.389,  < 0.001). Logistic regression, using SMP as the reference, RIRS was associated with β = +0.31, and 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.27,  ≤ 0.001) risk of operation duration and β = +0.37, 1.44 (95% CI, 1.00-2.07,  = 0.047) risk of longer hospital stay. This study investigates the suitability of SMP and RIRS for treating renal calculi ≤2 cm. SMP demonstrated superior efficacy with significantly shorter operating times and reduced hospital stays, suggesting potential advantages for managing lower volume renal stones.