Does body mass index impact the efficacy and complication rate of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

Abstract

Aim: This was a retrospective cohort study exploring the efficacy of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in obese patients and whether stone clearance, complication rate and length of stay is impacted by an increasing body mass index. Method: Data was collected retrospectively for all mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies performed at a single centre over a 21-month period commencing March 2017. The primary outcomes included length of stay, stone clearance rates and complications. Results: Fifty-eight percutaneous nephrolithotomies were undertaken during the study period and of these cases 81% of patients had a body mass index of 25 or greater. The stone clearance rate was 83%. However, severely obese patients were noted to have a lower stone clearance rate. No complications occurred in the normal body mass index cohort. However, there was no difference in the complication rate for the remaining groups. Post-operative stay was approximately 3 days. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies are a safe option in obese patients with no increased risk of serious complication. Whilst stone clearance rates were lower in the severely obese category, clearance was complete in the majority of cases. Level of evidence: 3