A 15-year longitudinal analysis of the trends in the surgical management of renal and ureteric stones in Australia

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the evolving surgical management of renal stones in Australia over the past 15 years. Methods: The National Australian Medicare and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIWH) data were used to obtain the annual number of hospital presentations for urolithiasis and surgical procedures for upper urinary tract stones from 2005 to 2020. The four treatment modalities observed included nephrolithotomy, shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and endoscopic lithotripsy. Results: The total number of renal colic presentations in Australian hospitals and urology procedures claimed by Medicare has increased during the past 15 years. A total of 218,999 urological procedures were claimed by Medicare for renal stones over 15 years. There has been a dramatic rise in endoscopic lithotripsy surgery for stones. In 2005–2006, endoscopic lithotripsy comprised 56.6% of total stonework claimed by Medicare, and this proportion jumped to 88.9% in 2019–2020. All other modalities saw a decline in absolute and relative numbers. Conclusion: Endoscopic management of upper renal tract stones predominates in the current management of renal stone disease in Australia. Epidemiology audits such as this study can provide insight into national disease trends and guide future healthcare policies and resource planning. Level of evidence: 2b