Comparison of the Efficacy of Transurethral Cystolithotripsy and Percutaneous Cystolithotomy in the Treatment of Male Children with 20-30 mm Bladder Stones: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) and percutaneous cystolithotomy (PCCL) in treating 20-30 mm bladder stones in male children.

Methods: Data on 62 male children of ≤16 years of age who were admitted to our hospital with bladder stones between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The patients were categorised into a TUCL group (TUCL, n = 32) and a PCCL group (PCCL, n = 30) according to the employed surgical method. Operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), complication incidence, and general information of the patients were compared between the two groups.

Results: No significant differences in age, stone size, composition, and other general medical history were observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). SFR was 100% in both groups, but the operative time in the TUCL group was significantly longer than that in the PCCL group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, catheter indwelling time in the TUCL group was significantly shorter than that in the PCCL group (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the overall complication incidence was found between the two groups (p > 0.05), whereas the number of urinary retention cases was higher in the TUCL group than in the PCCL group.

Conclusions: TUCL and PCCL are effective surgical methods for treating 20-30 mm bladder stones in male children. Compared to TUCL, PCCL may be the preferred option owing to its relatively shorter operative time and lower complication rate.